Abstract
Background: The unprecedented outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) drastically spread worldwide. The study was aimed to articulate the findings of a descriptive and clinical characteristic, also to access the potential risk factors link with the spread of COVID-19. Method: The COVID-19 cases reported through April 30, 2020, were extracted from Balochistan’s COVID-19 Electronic Dashboard. All cases from March to April 2020 were included. The results of the laboratory finding as well as data acquired through COVID-19 Dashboard were cleaned; descriptive exploratory analysis and chi-square were calculated to demonstrate the association using Epi- Info. Results: A total of 1381 patient records extracted and screened. Of these, 1218 suspected cases and 1049 confirmed cases contributed to the analysis. Among confirmed cases, 77% (811) were male. The most affected age group was 60 – 69 years (attack rate 1.90/10,000), mean age was 36 ±17.11 SD with age range 2 months-94 years. District Quetta 82% (864) and district Pishin 5% (55) remained the epi-center for high attack rates. Among confirmed cases, a total of 14 deaths occurred for an overall Case fatality rate of 1.33%. The epi surge was peaked around March 19, April 5, and April 24, 2020. Among high-risk personals, those who had contact with infected individuals’ showed a high association of 97% (323/333) than without any contact 87% (221/254). Those who had travel history showed a prevalence of 86% (87/101) than in those who did not 59% (60/104) while those admitted in hospital with comorbid conditions showed a prevalence of 70% (26/37) than in those who did not 13% (6/46). Conclusion: COVID-19 epidemic has spread rapidly in the province. A series of multidimensional public health interventions, a cost-effective surveillance system, and the adoption of safe working practice, awareness sessions are necessary to control the COVID-19 outbreak
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SAR-CoV-2) is a zoonosis caused by an enveloped RNA virus of family Coronaviridae, Coronaviruses are exclusively distributed in humans and other mammals as well
By using World Health Organization (WHO) standard protocol, nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab samples were taken and real time- polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) kits provided by the National Institute of Health (NIH), Islamabad, were used for detection
Modern world has offered a series of pathogens, including Influenza, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV-1, and SARS-CoV-2, to travel and manifest anywhere (Selvey, 2015)
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SAR-CoV-2) is a zoonosis caused by an enveloped RNA virus of family Coronaviridae, Coronaviruses are exclusively distributed in humans and other mammals as well. Though majority human coronavirus infections are mild, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) epidemics have caused more than 10,000 cumulative cases in the past two decades (Bastola, 2020). The source of COVID-19 is yet unknown, initials findings show the close similarity of the virus with other coronaviruses. The results of the laboratory finding as well as data acquired through COVID-19 Dashboard were cleaned; descriptive exploratory analysis and chi-square were calculated to demonstrate the association using Epi- Info. A series of multidimensional public health interventions, a cost-effective surveillance system, and the adoption of safe working practice, awareness sessions are necessary to control the COVID-19 outbreak
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
