1. Epidemic and control of COVID-19 in Niger: quantitative analyses in a least developed country
- Author
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Jia-Te Wei, Ali Issakou Malam Tchole, Run-Ze Ye, Hai-Tao Wang, Xiao-Kang Ji, Chao-Nan Yin, Fuzhong Xue, Wu-Chun Cao, Zhen-Wei Li, Lin Zhao, Alassan Maman Bachir, Wen-Jing Wang, and Wan-Yu Du
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Health Personnel ,030231 tropical medicine ,Developing country ,law.invention ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,law ,Epidemiology ,Case fatality rate ,Quarantine ,medicine ,Humans ,Niger ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Developing Countries ,Pandemics ,Disease burden ,Research Theme 1: COVID-19 Pandemic ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Health Policy ,Public health ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,COVID-19 ,Outbreak ,Middle Aged ,Years of potential life lost ,Socioeconomic Factors ,Communicable Disease Control ,Female ,business ,Demography - Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging the public health response system worldwide, especially in poverty-stricken, war-torn, and least developed countries (LDCs). Methods: We characterized the epidemiological features and spread dynamics of COVID-19 in Niger, quantified the effective reproduction number (Rt ), evaluated the impact of public health control measures, and estimated the disease burden. Results: As of 4 July 2020, COVID-19 has affected 29 communes of Niger with 1093 confirmed cases, among whom 741 (67.8%) were males. Of them 89 cases died, resulting in a case fatality rate (CFR) of 8.1%. Both attack rates and CFRs were increased with age (P < 0.0001). Health care workers accounted for 12.8% cases. Among the reported cases, 39.3% were isolated and treated at home, and 42.3% were asymptomatic. 74.6% cases were clustered in Niamey, the capital of Niger. The Rt fluctuated in correlation to control measures at different outbreak stages. After the authorities initiated the national response and implemented the strictest control measures, Rt quickly dropped to below the epidemic threshold (
- Published
- 2020
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