Taxas de mortalidade e fatalidade de casos da COVID-19 no Estado de Goiás, Brasil.

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]