Establishing an ad hoc COVID-19 mortality surveillance during the first epidemic wave in Belgium, 1 March to 21 June 2020

Renard, Françoise; Scohy, Aline; Heyden, Johan Van der; Peeters, Ilse; Dequeker, Sara; Vandael, Eline; Goethem, Nina Van; Dubourg, Dominique; Viron, Louise De; Kongs, A; Hammami, Naïma; Devleesschauwer, Brecht; Sasse, André Deeke; Gonzalez, Javiera Rebolledo; Sierra, Natalia Bustos

doi:10.2807/1560-7917.es.2021.26.48.2001402

Cited by 14 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The Belgian institute for public health, Sciensano, decided early on in the pandemic to report not only deaths from cases confirmed by COVID-19 laboratory tests or chest CT scans, but also deaths in possible COVID-19 cases [ 6 ]. Since COVID-19 mortality monitoring varies between countries, international comparisons may be seriously biased [ 11 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A case can be confirmed either by a chest computed tomography (CT) scan with clinical presentation or a laboratory test. Possible cases are those who meet the clinical criteria, whether or not there is an epidemiological link to a confirmed case [ 6 , 15 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The completeness of COVID-19-related mortality reporting itself also depends on many factors such as directives, availability of data and the definition of a COVID-19-related death. Belgium is one of the few countries whose COVID-19-related mortality notification criteria is broader than the WHO criteria [ 4 ] and includes laboratory and radiologically-confirmed COVID-19 deaths in hospital, nursing homes or other long-term care facilities as well as deaths in possible COVID-19 cases [ 5 , 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 mortality, excess mortality, deaths per million and infection fatality ratio, Belgium, 9 March 2020 to 28 June 2020

et al. 2022

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Background COVID-19 mortality, excess mortality, deaths per million population (DPM), infection fatality ratio (IFR) and case fatality ratio (CFR) are reported and compared for many countries globally. These measures may appear objective, however, they should be interpreted with caution. Aim We examined reported COVID-19-related mortality in Belgium from 9 March 2020 to 28 June 2020, placing it against the background of excess mortality and compared the DPM and IFR between countries and within subgroups. Methods The relation between COVID-19-related mortality and excess mortality was evaluated by comparing COVID-19 mortality and the difference between observed and weekly average predictions of all-cause mortality. DPM were evaluated using demographic data of the Belgian population. The number of infections was estimated by a stochastic compartmental model. The IFR was estimated using a delay distribution between infection and death. Results In the study period, 9,621 COVID-19-related deaths were reported, which is close to the excess mortality estimated using weekly averages (8,985 deaths). This translates to 837 DPM and an IFR of 1.5% in the general population. Both DPM and IFR increase with age and are substantially larger in the nursing home population. Discussion During the first pandemic wave, Belgium had no discrepancy between COVID-19-related mortality and excess mortality. In light of this close agreement, it is useful to consider the DPM and IFR, which are both age, sex, and nursing home population-dependent. Comparison of COVID-19 mortality between countries should rather be based on excess mortality than on COVID-19-related mortality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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COVID-19 mortality, excess mortality, deaths per million and infection fatality ratio, Belgium, 9 March 2020 to 28 June 2020

et al. 2022

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“…By May 2020, Belgium experienced one of the highest numbers of reported fatal COVID-19 cases globally. However, during these first months of the pandemic, all deaths reported among possible COVID-19 cases qualified as COVID-19-related deaths [2]. This broad case-definition partially contributed to the relatively high reported COVID-related death burden in Belgium at that time.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in Belgian nursing home residents during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2022

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In April 2020, Belgium experienced high numbers of fatal COVID-19 cases among nursing home (NH) residents. In response, a mass testing campaign was organised testing all NH residents and staff. We analysed data of Flemish NH to identify institutional factors associated with increased SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among NH residents. Cross-sectional study was conducted between April 8-May 15, 2020. Data collected included demographics, group category (i.e. staff or resident), symptom status and test result. We retrieved additional data: number of beds and staff, type of beds (level of dependency of residents) and ownership (public, private for profit/non-profit institutions). Risk factor analysis was performed using negative binomial regression.In total, 695 NHs were included, 282 (41%) had at least one resident tested positive. Higher infection rate among residents was associated with a higher fraction of RVT beds, generally occupied by more dependent residents (Incidence rate ratio (IRR): 1.97; 95%CI: 1.00-3.86) and higher staff's infection rate (IRR: 1.89; 95%CI: 1.68-2.12). No relationship was found between other investigated NH characteristics and infection rate among residents. Staff-resident interactions are key in SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. Vaccination, regular staff testing, assessment of infection prevention and control strategies in all NHs are needed to face future SARS-CoV-2 epidemics in these settings.

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“…Belgium was heavily impacted by the rst wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with 30,014 COVID-19-related deaths between March and May 2020 (11). It was among the worst affected countries by the pandemic in Europe at that time (12). Among its ten provinces, Antwerp had the highest numbers of cases in the rst epidemic wave, with 569 con rmed COVID-19 cases in March and 1315 in April 2020, respectively (13).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

We hang on to social media to get information but we do not master it: Sub-Saharan African communities’ experiences and engagement with the COVID-19 pandemic and related control strategies in Antwerp, Belgium

Ddungu

Manirankunda

Meudec

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Background Evidence shows that pre-existing racial/ethnic disparities in health, sustained by complex and intersecting socio-economic and structural inequities, have widened due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, little attention had been paid to the lived experiences of people in ethnic/racialised minority communities and to the web of causes and effects underlying COVID-19 related suffering. We conducted a study to explore Sub-Saharan African communities’ needs, perceptions, and different experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its control measures in the Antwerp metropolitan area (Belgium), from the perspective of Sub-Saharan African communities in 2020. Methods We conducted a qualitative study with an interpretative ethnographical approach. We used an iterative and participatory methodology: We set up a community advisory board which advised on different stages of the research process. Interviews and a group discussion were conducted online, using a secured web conference account, via telephone, and face-to-face. We analysed the data inductively using a thematic analytical approach. Results People in SSA communities, who mostly used social media for information, struggled with misinformation about the new virus and prevention measures. A big number were prone to misinformation about the origin of the pandemic, risk of infection with COVID-19, and the prevention measures such as testing, contact tracing, and future vaccination. SSA communities were not only affected by the epidemic, but to a larger extent by the control strategies, especially the lockdown. The combination of multiple social and economic disadvantages were significant in shaping people’s experience of the pandemic and its control measures. In turn, these experiences influences people’s perceptions and attitudes, and in some way impaired them to follow some public health COVID-19 prevention guidelines, leading to vicious cycles. Conclusion With the prolonged continuation of the COVID-19 epidemic and widening disparities, it is urgent and important it is to involve ethic/racialised minority communities in response strategies that not only address the needs of SSA communities, but also build on their strengths and agency. Findings from this study may inform future responses to epidemic outbreaks while considering input from ethnic/racialised minorities.

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Establishing an ad hoc COVID-19 mortality surveillance during the first epidemic wave in Belgium, 1 March to 21 June 2020

Cited by 14 publications

References 9 publications

COVID-19 mortality, excess mortality, deaths per million and infection fatality ratio, Belgium, 9 March 2020 to 28 June 2020

COVID-19 mortality, excess mortality, deaths per million and infection fatality ratio, Belgium, 9 March 2020 to 28 June 2020

Factors influencing SARS-CoV-2 infection rate in Belgian nursing home residents during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic

We hang on to social media to get information but we do not master it: Sub-Saharan African communities’ experiences and engagement with the COVID-19 pandemic and related control strategies in Antwerp, Belgium

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