Out Break of COVID-19____Traits after Entry in Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Since the first case of novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) detected and spread from Wuhan, China, continuously it is spreading globally and simultaneously in Pakistan. This study has analyzed 200 cases of Covid-19 positive to determine epidemiological and clinical traits of Covid-19 entry in Pakistan.
Methods: These patients were present/transferred from Taftan city to Quetta health center of Balochistan. Basic information for Covid-19 on its clinical, laboratory investigations, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment were obtained. Further these initial traits were compared between severe, mild, respiratory distressed and asymptomatic cases. Ratio of Covid-19 spread and its mortality also compared with other provinces.
Observations: By the end of the month of March 2020, 200 patients were assessed and analyses for various outcomes of the Covid-19 infection. These patients were present in various health centers of Quetta. Among these 200 cases, 27 (13.5%) were severe, 173 (86.5%) were other cases including mild, respiratory distressed and asymptomatic. Median age group of all cases was 34.9 years. 86.5% were male patients. Maximum number of patients (54.5%) was from Sindh province and least was from Kpk (00) in these quarantine centers of Quetta. 70.5% of all cases have confirm contact history. Commonly occurring symptoms at onset of illness were mild pyrexia (82%), high grade fever (16.5%), cough (54.5%), body ache (38.5%), and dyspnea (10.5%). No patient has any travel history of China while 68.5% patients had a travel history of Iran. In this study the Covid-19 infected positive cases who got discharged from hospital after one visit was 30%. Patients who got hospitalized for admission due to infection were 65%. Total 04 (2%) deaths occurred in these 200 Covid-19 positive cases.
Interpretation: This study explained the severity of Covid-19 infection after its entry in Pakistan and its spread from outskirts to health centers of Quetta. Initial admission, laboratory tests, management and treatment all leads towards a better protocol to handle and prevent the Covid-19 infection spread in other provinces of the country. Early isolation and quarantine for close contacts and strictly following SOPs (standing operating procedures) can give better and safe results for future.