Comparative analysis and epidemiological study of SARS-CoV-2 in first wave among different states of India

Abstract

Abstract Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has now spread worldwide, and various governments are attempting to control the disease's spread to overcome the global health crisis. Data from 28 Indian states and 8 Union Territories (UTs) provide a detailed look at the transmission pathways and case fatality rate (CFR) of the SARS-CoV-2. Among the global data, India was found to be the third country with the highest mortality cases of 157K, and Maharashtra was having the most higher number of mortality cases followed by Tamil Nadu and others. The percent distribution of CFR calculated in each geographical zone of India i.e. Central, Eastern, North Eastern and Northern, Southern and Western zone were 17%, 14%, 7%, 22%, 12%, and 28%, respectively. Furthermore, the CFR was calculated for every month using a standard formula. The CFR was significantly (P<0.01) higher in period II comprising April to June of the year 2020. CFR was significantly different (P<0.01) depending on the month. Moreover, CFR was compared in different zones in India, western zone showed the highest CFR as compared to other zones. The epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated in patients of various ages and co-morbidities. Patients >21 years had the highest age-specific positivity rate. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 patients in acute and chronic disease was 12.87 and 87.13 percent, respectively. Thus, this analytical epidemiological study serves specifically in establishing a relationship between SARS-CoV-2 infection and other precipitating factors causing morbidity and mortality during the given time frame in the first wave, in the year 2020.