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Domènech-Montoliu S, Pac-Sa MR, Sala-Trull D, Del Rio-González A, Sanchéz-Urbano M, Satorres-Martinez P, Blasco-Gari R, Casanova-Suarez J, Gil-Fortuño M, López-Diago L, Notari-Rodríguez C, Pérez-Olaso Ó, Romeu-Garcia MA, Ruiz-Puig R, Aleixandre-Gorriz I, Domènech-León C, Arnedo-Pena A. Underreporting of Cases in the COVID-19 Outbreak of Borriana (Spain) during Mass Gathering Events in March 2020: A Cross-Sectional Study. EPIDEMIOLOGIA 2024; 5:499-510. [PMID: 39189253 PMCID: PMC11348374 DOI: 10.3390/epidemiologia5030034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Determining the number of cases of an epidemic is the first function of epidemiological surveillance. An important underreporting of cases was observed in many locations during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. To estimate this underreporting in the COVID-19 outbreak of Borriana (Valencia Community, Spain) in March 2020, a cross-sectional study was performed in June 2020 querying the public health register. Logistic regression models were used. Of a total of 468 symptomatic COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the outbreak through anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology, 36 cases were reported (7.7%), resulting in an underreporting proportion of 92.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.5-94.6%), with 13 unreported cases for every reported case. Only positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction cases were predominantly reported due to a limited testing capacity and following a national protocol. Significant factors associated with underreporting included no medical assistance for COVID-19 disease, with an adjusted odds ratio [aOR] of 10.83 (95% CI 2.49-47.11); no chronic illness, aOR = 2.81 (95% CI 1.28-6.17); middle and lower social classes, aOR = 3.12 (95% CI 1.42-6.85); younger age, aOR = 0.97 (95% CI 0.94-0.99); and a shorter duration of illness, aOR = 0.98 (95% CI 0.97-0.99). To improve the surveillance of future epidemics, new approaches are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Rosario Pac-Sa
- Public Health Center, 12003 Castelló de la Plana, Spain; (M.R.P.-S.); (M.A.R.-G.)
| | - Diego Sala-Trull
- Emergency Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (D.S.-T.); (M.S.-U.); (P.S.-M.); (R.B.-G.); (C.N.-R.); (R.R.-P.)
| | | | - Manuel Sanchéz-Urbano
- Emergency Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (D.S.-T.); (M.S.-U.); (P.S.-M.); (R.B.-G.); (C.N.-R.); (R.R.-P.)
| | - Paloma Satorres-Martinez
- Emergency Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (D.S.-T.); (M.S.-U.); (P.S.-M.); (R.B.-G.); (C.N.-R.); (R.R.-P.)
| | - Roser Blasco-Gari
- Emergency Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (D.S.-T.); (M.S.-U.); (P.S.-M.); (R.B.-G.); (C.N.-R.); (R.R.-P.)
| | | | - Maria Gil-Fortuño
- Microbiology Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (M.G.-F.); (Ó.P.-O.)
| | - Laura López-Diago
- Clinical Analysis Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (L.L.-D.); (I.A.-G.)
| | - Cristina Notari-Rodríguez
- Emergency Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (D.S.-T.); (M.S.-U.); (P.S.-M.); (R.B.-G.); (C.N.-R.); (R.R.-P.)
| | - Óscar Pérez-Olaso
- Microbiology Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (M.G.-F.); (Ó.P.-O.)
| | | | - Raquel Ruiz-Puig
- Emergency Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (D.S.-T.); (M.S.-U.); (P.S.-M.); (R.B.-G.); (C.N.-R.); (R.R.-P.)
| | - Isabel Aleixandre-Gorriz
- Clinical Analysis Service University Hospital de la Plana, 12540 Vila-Real, Spain; (L.L.-D.); (I.A.-G.)
| | - Carmen Domènech-León
- Department of Medicine, University CEU Cardenal Herrera, 12006 Castelló de la Plana, Spain;
| | - Alberto Arnedo-Pena
- Public Health Center, 12003 Castelló de la Plana, Spain; (M.R.P.-S.); (M.A.R.-G.)
- Department of Health Science, Public University Navarra, 31006 Pamplona, Spain
- Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Zińczuk A, Rorat M, Jurek T. COVID-19-related excess mortality - an overview of the current evidence. ARCHIVES OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND CRIMINOLOGY 2023; 73:33-44. [PMID: 38186033 DOI: 10.4467/16891716amsik.22.004.18214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Analysis of excess deaths, defined as the difference in the total number of deaths in an emergency compared to the number of deaths expected under normal conditions, allows a more reliable assessment of the impact on health systems caused by the global threat of SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). So far, data for the two years of the pandemic (2020-2021) indicates the occurrence of 14.9 million excess deaths according to WHO (World Health Organization) estimates. The purpose of the analysis conducted was to define the concept and identify the causes of excess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Inconsistent and unreliable death registration systems; overburdened health systems in low- and middle-income countries; reduced access to medical services for patients with health problems other than COVID-19; the introduction of social distancing and lockdown rules, which translated into increased deaths from psychiatric illnesses and addictions; political considerations and media messages that interfered with vaccination acceptance and adherence; and the additional impact of other natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, drought) were identified as the most important reasons for excess deaths occurrence. The correct identification of country-specific factors and the correct response and countermeasures taken appear crucial in terms of limiting the negative impact of the current pandemic, but also of future threats of a similar nature, in order to reduce excess deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Rorat
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | - Tomasz Jurek
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
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