Coronaviruses (CoV) make up a large family of viruses, known since the mid-1960s, which received this name due to the spikes on its surface, which resemble a crown (from the Latin corona). CoV infections can cause everything from a common cold to severe respiratory syndromes, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome (MERS-CoV). COVID-19 is a new variant of the coronavirus, and its isolation occurred in China on January 7th, 2020. COVID-19 has stood out with a high impact on public health due to the high number of cases with infection in a short period of time. However, it is possible to observe that 17% of patients confirmed with COVID-19 have severe infections and about 2.5% of these patients die. Current studies have shown that the number of mild and asymptomatic cases may be even greater. Thus, the challenges for controlling unreported cases of patients with mild symptoms that are spreading the virus and interfering with the magnitude and real data of the cases stand out. The transmission of the coronavirus occurs between humans, and it can occur from person to person through the air, through coughing or sneezing, by touching or shaking hands or by contact with contaminated objects or surfaces, followed by contact with the mouth, nose or eyes. Given the fluctuation in the incidence and the lethality rate, it is essential to stand out the precepts of health promotion in search of reorienting hygiene practices, considering that there is validity in health care models, still with a curative approach and the current situation experienced by the world population requires a preventive stance.
Introduction: Inserted in the vulnerable context of the Brazilian Amazon, the state of Tocantins has suffered damages with the dissemination of COVID-19 in its territory; however, little evidence is published from this state. Objective: This study aims to analyze the case-fatality, mortality, and incidence of COVID-19 in Tocantins. Methods: This is an ecological study, population-based, time-series analysis of COVID-19 cases and deaths in the state of Tocantins from March 2020 to August 2021. Results: During the examined period, 219,031 COVID-19 cases, and 3,594 deaths were registered due to disease. Two possible occurrence peaks were characterized in this time-series analysis. Remarkably, the Second Wave had the highest lethality rates (3.02% - April 2021), mortality (39.81 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants – March 2021), and incidence (1,938.88 cases per 100,000 inhabitants – March 2021). At the end of the period, mortality, incidence, and lethality showed flat trends, suggesting a positive outcome of the vaccination program. Conclusion: The prevention, surveillance, and control actions of COVID-19 cases in Tocantins State have been directed to mitigate the deleterious effects of the pandemic. Nevertheless, efforts are still needed to decrease lethality, mortality, and incidence trends, and ultimately to achieve control of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.
Introduction: COVID-19 impacted health systems worldwide; the virus quickly spread in Brazil, reaching the 27 Federative units in Brazil peculiarly. The northern region of Brazil recorded the lowest number of cases and accumulated deaths from the disease. However, it is a region of sizeable territorial extension and low demographic density, marked by socioeconomic inequalities and vulnerable groups, such as indigenous tribes, riverine peoples, and quilombolas. Sociodemographic factors may contribute to the dissemination of the coronavirus in the region; thus, studies are needed to analyze the epidemiological indicators related to the pandemic. Objective: to evaluate incidence, mortality, and case fatality of COVID-19 trends in the state of Amapá, Brazil, from March 2020 to April 2021. Methods: an ecological time-series study was conducted with publicly accessible data from the Health Department of the State of Amapá. Incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants and percentage case fatality were calculated. Crude rates were calculated by municipalities, age, and sex, per month. The Prais-Winsten regression test was performed, and the trends of monthly rates were classified as increasing, decreasing, or flat. Results: during the study period, there were 99.936 cases and 1,468 deaths accumulated by COVID-19 in the State of Amapá, Brazil. Macapá and Santana’s cities, which have the highest demographic density and Human Development Index (HDI), had the highest number of cases and deaths. The most vulnerable population was elderly males aged 70 years or over; these individuals had the highest cumulative incidence, case fatality, and mortality rates. The second wave of the disease (October 2020 to April 2021) illustrated a more aggravating scenario, with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Conclusion: the COVID-19 pandemic in the state of Amapá, Brazil, is in increasing evolution, which illustrates that non-pharmacological prevention measures and acceleration of vaccination must be strengthened to avoid the development of future waves of the disease.
Introduction: the initial spread of the pandemic in Brazil was mainly affected by patterns of socioeconomic vulnerability. It should be noted that the Central-West region of Brazil is one of the regions with the lowest number of cases, but the states of this region together have the highest mortality rate of COVID-19 in the country. Goiás was the most affected state of this region, with the highest number of deaths in the area. Objective: to assess the incidence of mortality and lethality caused by COVID-19 from March 2020 to June 2021 in the State of Goiás, Brazil. Methods: an ecological study, using a series of time series of public and official data of the Department of Health of the State of Goiás, Brazil. Information was collected on cases and deaths from COVID-19 from March 2020 to June 2021. Mortality, case fatality, and incidence rates were calculated. The Prais-Wisten regression model was used to build time series. The daily percent change (DPC) and the effective reproductive number (Rt) were estimated. Results: Goiás had a predominance of a greater viral spread during the first and the beginning of the second wave, with Rt higher than 1. The second wave from December 2020 to June 2021 was more lethal and had higher mortality rates than the first wave. It was observed, higher scores of case fatality and mortality belonged to males and the elderly. Conclusion: an analysis of mortality and case fatality rates helps understand the COVID-19 pandemic behavior in Goiás. It is essential to monitor epidemiological indicators and strengthen intervention strategies to contain the pandemic in this state.
Introduction: the context of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Brazilian North region is worrying. There is a lack of resources for Public Health, a low human development index, and poverty indicators above the national average.Objective: to analyze mortality and lethality from COVID-19 in the State of Roraima, Brazil.Methods: this is an ecological time-series study of secondary data on COVID-19 in Roraima, Northern Brazil, from March 2020 to July 2021. The incidence, mortality, and lethality rates due to COVID-19 were calculated. The Prais-Winsten regression model was used to calculate the time series trends. Trends were classified as increasing, decreasing, or stationary. The trend was considered static when the p-value was not significant (p>0.05).Results: in the state of Roraima, from March 2020 to July 2021, there were 123,125 cases and 1,903 accumulated deaths due to COVID-19. The first wave (March 2020 to October 2021) of COVID-19 recorded the incidence rate (2,995.30 new cases per 100,000 inhabitants - July 2020) and mortality (56.32 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants - June 2020) higher lethality. However, in the second wave (November 2020 to July 2021), the highest lethality rate was observed (3.47% - February 2021). It was observed that during the first wave, the incidence rate of COVID-19 showed increasing trends. During this period, the mortality rate had a stationary tendency (p>0.05) and the percentage lethality with a decreasing trend (p<0.05). During the second wave, there was a more aggravating scenario for lethality, which changed from a daily reduction rate of 0.90% to stationary trends.Conclusion: the pandemic in the state of Roraima is not yet under control, so it is necessary to strengthen strategies to mitigate the spread of the pandemic in the region and prevent the formation of new waves.
