Epdemiology of coronavirus disease 2020 (COVID-19) in Algeria

The evolution of the global COVID-19 epidemic in Morocco and understanding the different therapeutic approaches of chitosan in the control of the pandemic

In 2020, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a new viral respiratory disease caused by a virus that belongs to Coronaviridae family, has been identified. It is a very severe flu that negatively affects the functions of the lung and other respiratory organs. COVID-19 virus can be transmitted between people either by touching an infected person or by direct contact with their respiratory droplets. Therefore, the COVID-19 virus has become a global concern due to its rapid spread and severity. Based on the World Health Organization report from 2 March 2020 to 24 October 2022, the total infected cases and deaths in Morocco are around 1,265,389 (3.46%) and 16,280 (0.04%), respectively. Recently, some scientists have found that chitosan, a polymer existed in nature, can inhibit COVID-19 infection and repair damaged tissue. Therefore, understanding chitosan mechanisms in controlling COVID-19, might lead to innovative strategies in the medical field, such as developing drugs against SARS-CoV-2, and replacing vaccines, which have negative side effects. This review aims to show the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide, specifically in Morocco, its pathophysiology, and its ability to silence the immune system. This review also provides an overview of the treatments and measures applied to protect human beings and how chitosan acts and controls COVID-19.

Epidemiological Context and Risk Factors Associated with the Evolution of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): A Retrospective Cohort Study

Since its initial appearance in December 2019, COVID-19 has posed a serious challenge to healthcare authorities worldwide. The purpose of the current study was to identify the epidemiological context associated with the respiratory illness propagated by the spread of COVID-19 and outline various risk factors related to its evolution in the province of Debila (Southeastern Algeria). A retrospective analysis was carried out for a cohort of 612 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals between March 2020 and February 2022. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Further, logistic regression analysis was employed to perform the odds ratio. In gendered comparison, males were found to have a higher rate of incidence and mortality compared to females. In terms of age, individuals with advanced ages of 60 years or over were typically correlated with higher rates of incidence and mortality in comparison toindividuals below this age. Furthermore, the current research indicated that peri-urban areas were less affected that the urban regions, which had relatively significant incidence and mortality rates. The summer season was marked with the highest incidence and mortality rate in comparison with other seasons. Patients who were hospitalized, were the age of 60 or over, or characterized by comorbidity, were mainly associated with death evolution (odds ratio [OR] = 8.695; p = 0.000), (OR = 6.192; p = 0.000), and (OR = 2.538; p = 0.000), respectively. The study identifies an important relationship between the sanitary status of patients, hospitalization, over-age categories, and the case severity of the COVID-19 patient.

The COVID-19 epidemic in Madagascar: clinical description and laboratory results of the first wave, march-september 2020

BACKGROUND

Following the first detection of SARS-CoV-2 in passengers arriving from Europe on 19 March 2020, Madagascar took several mitigation measures to limit the spread of the virus in the country.

METHODS

Nasopharyngeal and/or oropharyngeal swabs were collected from travellers to Madagascar, suspected SARS-CoV-2 cases and contact of confirmed cases. Swabs were tested at the national reference laboratory using real-time RT-PCR. Data collected from patients were entered in an electronic database for subsequent statistical analysis. All distribution of laboratory-confirmed cases were mapped, and six genomes of viruses were fully sequenced.

RESULTS

Overall, 26,415 individuals were tested for SARS-CoV-2 between 18 March and 18 September 2020, of whom 21.0% (5,553/26,145) returned positive. Among laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, the median age was 39 years (IQR: 28-52), and 56.6% (3,311/5,553) were asymptomatic at the time of sampling. The probability of testing positive increased with age with the highest adjusted odds ratio of 2.2 [95% CI: 1.9-2.5] for individuals aged 49 years and more. Viral strains sequenced belong to clades 19A, 20A and 20B indicative of several independent introduction of viruses.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study describes the first wave of the COVID-19 in Madagascar. Despite early strategies in place Madagascar could not avoid the introduction and spread of the virus. More studies are needed to estimate the true burden of disease and make public health recommendations for a better preparation to another wave.