Spatial–temporal trends of COVID-19 infection and mortality in Sudan

Abstract

Since its emergence, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is constantly affecting many parts of the globe and threatening millions of lives worldwide. Charting and aligning disease incidence to identify spatial clustering and patterns continue to be a substantial pathway to understanding disease epidemiology and is essential for implementing effective planning and prevention strategies. A national descriptive study was implemented to present the infection and mortality rates of the COVID-19 pandemic in all states of Sudan. Data were collected and summarized in monthly statistical reports of COVID-19 infection and mortality rates. The reports used were from May 2020 to March 2021. The highest COVID-19 incidence rate occurred in December 2020 with a total incidence of 4863 cases ranging from 0 cases in some of the states to 4164 cases in other states (mean = 270 ± 946, median = 21 cases). Followed by the incidence in May 2020 with a total of 4524 cases ranging from 4 to 3509 cases (mean = 251 ± 794, median = 31 cases). The western and southern states of the country had the lowest mortality rates. While, the middle states (Khartoum and El Gezira) had the highest mortalities. Northern and eastern states had lower mortalities than the middle states, yet, higher than the western states. A strong positive correlation between infection and mortality was found.