Regional and temporal variations in Covid-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia

Lessons learned from the Covid-19 enhanced surveillance and response

Bibliographic Data

ID19594465
AuthorsGizaw Teka (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Adane Woldeab (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Nebiyu Dereje (0000-0001-5406-4171, Addis Ababa University, corresponding author), Frehywot Eshetu (0000-0001-8058-2044, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, corresponding author), Lehageru Gizachew (0000-0002-5956-0737, International Trachoma Initiative, corresponding author), Zelalem Tazu (International Trachoma Initiative, corresponding author), Leuel Lisanwork (International Trachoma Initiative, corresponding author), Eyasu Tigabu Seyoum (0000-0002-2362-9018), Eyasu Tigabu (International Trachoma Initiative, corresponding author), Ayele Gebeyehu (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Adamu Tayachew (0000-0001-6338-9824, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Mengistu Biru (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Tsegaye Berkessa (0000-0003-2376-6917, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Abrham Keraleme (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Fentahun Bikale Kebede (0000-0001-6350-7085), Fentahun Bikale (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Wolde Shure (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Admikew Agune (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Bizuwork Haile (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Beza Addis (0000-0002-3476-6210, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Muluken Moges (0000-0003-4572-3424, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Melaku Gonta (Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Aster Hailemariam (0009-0000-7326-6123, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Laura Binkley (Ohio Department of Health, corresponding author), Saira Nawaz (0000-0003-1826-551X, Ohio Department of Health, corresponding author), Shu-Hua Wang (0000-0001-8006-2401, Ohio Department of Health, corresponding author), Zelalem Mekuria (Ohio Department of Health, corresponding author), Ayalew Aklilu (0009-0008-4073-6975, Addis Ababa University, corresponding author), Jemal Aliy (0009-0009-9545-0592, Addis Ababa University, corresponding author), Sileshi Lulseged (0000-0001-6801-7034, Addis Ababa University, corresponding author), Abiy Girmay (corresponding author), Abok Patrick, Berhanu Amare (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, corresponding author), Hulemenaw Delelegn (Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, corresponding author), Sharon Daves (0009-0001-7824-8394, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, corresponding author), Getnet Yimer (0000-0002-1469-837X, University of Pennsylvania, corresponding author), Ebba Abate (International Trachoma Initiative, corresponding author), Mesfin Wossen (0000-0002-1689-5801, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author), Zenebe Melaku (Addis Ababa University, corresponding author), Wondwossen A Gebreyes (0000-0003-1885-3952, Ohio Department of Health, corresponding author), Wondwossen Gebreyes, Desmond E Williams (0000-0002-7915-7486, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, corresponding author), Aschalew Abayneh (0000-0002-0091-1731, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, corresponding author)
EditorsSukanta Chowdhury (0000-0003-3053-4241)
Year2024
Volume4
Issue5
Pagese0003175
Publication date2024-05-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1371/journal.pgph.0003175
PMID38781131
OpenAlexW4398256297
LanguageEN
References cited22

Background The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating public health emergencies of international concern to have occurred in the past century. To ensure a safe, scalable, and sustainable response, it is imperative to understand the burden of disease, epidemiological trends, and responses to activities that have already been implemented. We aimed to analyze how COVID-19 tests, cases, and deaths varied by time and region in the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ethiopia. Methods COVID-19 data were captured between October 01, 2021, and September 30, 2022, in 64 systematically selected health facilities throughout Ethiopia. The number of health facilities included in the study was proportionally allocated to the regional states of Ethiopia. Data were captured by standardized tools and formats. Analysis of COVID-19 testing performed, cases detected, and deaths registered by region and time was carried out. Results We analyzed 215,024 individuals’ data that were captured through COVID-19 surveillance in Ethiopia. Of the 215,024 total tests, 18,964 COVID-19 cases (8.8%, 95% CI: 8.7%– 9.0%) were identified and 534 (2.8%, 95% CI: 2.6%– 3.1%) were deceased. The positivity rate ranged from 1% in the Afar region to 15% in the Sidama region. Eight (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.4%– 2.0%) HCWs died out of 664 infected HCWs, of which 81.5% were from Addis Ababa. Three waves of outbreaks were detected during the analysis period, with the highest positivity rate of 35% during the Omicron period and the highest rate of ICU beds and mechanical ventilators (38%) occupied by COVID-19 patients during the Delta period. Conclusions The temporal and regional variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia underscore the need for concerted efforts to address the disparities in the COVID-19 surveillance and response system. These lessons should be critically considered during the integration of the COVID-19 surveillance system into the routine surveillance system

2019-20 coronavirus outbreak · Disease · Economic growth · Environmental health · Health care · Outbreak · Pandemic · Pathology · Population · Public health · COVID-19 epidemiological studies · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · Demography · Medicine · SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing · Epidemiology · Virology