Epidemiological Features of the Novel Coronavirus Disease in the Lipetsk Region in 2020

Introduction: Due to a high incidence of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Russian Federation in 2020, identification of the regional features of the disease spread has become relevant for understanding of the further development of the development of the epidemic process, organizing and implementing comprehensive preventive measures. Objective. To study regional features of the COVID-19 epidemic process in the Lipetsk Region. Materials and methods. We used data from the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Lipetsk Region, notifications by healthcare facilities, summary reports on COVID-19 cases in the regions (Form 1076), and the website “стопкоронавирус.рф” (“stopcoronavirus.rf”). Results. Incidence rates indicated a slow development of the epidemic with a growth rate of 0.68 %. Two rises were registered during the year 2020. Female COVID-19 cases prevailed (154.7 0/000 [95 % CI: 150.95–157.10]). The main risk groups included people aged 50–64 years (212.2 0/000 [95 % CI: 206.4–217.7]), 30–49 years (167.9 0/000 [95 % CI: 163.7–172.4]), and 65 years and older (126.2 0/000 [95 % CI: 121.1–131.0]). Among professional groups, high incidence rates were observed among healthcare workers (547.8 0/000 [95 % CI: 520.83–576.52]) and employees of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (257.1 0/000 [95 % CI = 214.65–305.41]). Most people got infected in their home (42.3 ± 0.4 %). We established that moderate (39.8 ± 0.4 %) and mild (31.3 ± 0.4 %) forms of the disease with symptoms similar to those of upper respiratory tract infections (47.4 ± 0.4 %) prevailed. The mortality rate did not exceed the national average (1.6 % and 1.8 %, respectively). In general, timely and consistent implementation of comprehensive measures helped influence the epidemiological situation in the region: the epidemic process was characterized by a moderate intensity of morbidity and mortality and had no explosive nature that could have destroyed the infrastructure of the region. At the same time, further monitoring and analysis of the COVID-19 situation in the Lipetsk Region is important, especially in view of the COVID-19 vaccination campaign and subsequent formation of herd immunity.