Early spread of COVID-19 in Romania: imported cases from Italy and human-to-human transmission networks

Abstract

We describe the early spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the first human-to-human transmission networks, in Romania. We profiled the first 147 cases referring to sex, age, place of residence, probable country of infection, return day to Romania, COVID-19 confirmation date and the probable modes of COVID-19 transmissions. Also, we analysed human-to-human transmission networks and explored their structural features and time dynamics. In Romania, local cycles of transmission were preceded by imported cases, predominantly from Italy. We observed an average of 4.8 days (s.d. = 4.0) between the arrival to a Romanian county and COVID-19 confirmation. Furthermore, among the first 147 COVID-19 patients, 88 were imported cases (64 carriers from Italy), 54 were domestic cases, while for five cases the source of infection was unknown. The early human-to-human transmission networks illustrated a limited geographical dispersion, the presence of super-spreaders and the risk of COVID-19 nosocomial infections. COVID-19 occurred in Romania through case importation from Italy. The largest share of the Romanian diaspora is concentrated especially in the northern parts of Italy, heavily affected by COVID-19. Human mobility (including migration) accounts for the COVID-19 transmission and it should be given consideration while tailoring prevention measures.

Perceptions of Romanian Physicians on Lockdowns for COVID-19 Prevention

“…With regard to the dynamic of the COVID-19 pandemic in Romania, it is important to note that more than five million Romanians are abroad and that, in March 2020, more than 250,000 Romanians returned in Romania [ 11 ]. Additionally, an important part of the Romanian diaspora is concentrated in the North of Italy [ 12 ]. Therefore, severe measures of social distancing during the State of Emergency (15 March–15 May 2020) were initially implemented that delayed the overburdening of the Romanian healthcare system that already had issues [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 11 ].…”

“…In Romania, the first case of SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed on 26 February 2020, a contact of an Italian citizen [ 13 ], and, 1 month later, on 22 March 2020, the first COVID-19 death was noted [ 14 ]. Among the first 147 COVID-19 cases in Romania, 88 were imported cases, with 64 from Italy [ 12 ]. At the first release of the present survey, there were around 9000 cases, more than 40,000 people quarantined at home, and more than 500 deaths from COVID-19 [ 14 ].…”

Second wave COVID-19 pandemics in Europe: a temporal playbook

“…Pandemics are increasingly becoming a constant menace to the human race, with COVID-19 8 , 9 being the latest example. A second wave is creeping back in Europe and is poised to rage across the continent by fall 2020.…”

A Multivocal Literature Review on Growing Social Engineering Based Cyber-Attacks/Threats During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Challenges and Prospective Solutions

“…Perc et al [105] proposed a method to determine the daily growth rates to reduce the risk of global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, Hancean et al [106] proposed human-to-human transmission networks and dispersion mechanism of the novel coronavirus. Ribeiro et al [107] shown the spread of novel coronavirus and they inspected the number of cases and deaths during the COVID-19 of the Brazilian cities' populations.…”

“…Similarly, Hancean et al [106] proposed human-to-human transmission networks and dispersion mechanism of the novel coronavirus. Ribeiro et al [107] shown the spread of novel coronavirus and they inspected the number of cases and deaths during the COVID-19 of the Brazilian cities' populations. National and international association are essential for combating COVID-19 and other probable epidemics to be more organized for pandemics as early as possible [108].…”