Prevalence and Epidemiological Trends in Mortality Due to COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) created a major public health emergency and an international concern. It is an infectious respiratory illness caused by acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The international mortality rates due to COVID-19 reached 2,748,763 on March 24, 2021. We describe the prevalence, case fatality rate, and epidemiological trends of COVID-19 mortality in Saudi Arabia in this paper.Method: A systematic approach of evaluating COVID-19 related mortalities was established in Saudi Arabia. A scientific committee that evaluated all reported cases with suspicious or confirmed COVID-19 disease using a standardized electronic form. A data registry of all deaths with all clinical parameters was built based on active reporting from all healthcare facilities in Saudi Arabia. Analysis of data using national and regional crude case fatality rate (cCFR) and death per 100,000 population was carried. Descriptive analysis of age, gender, nationality, and comorbidities. Mortality trend was plotted per week and compared to international figures.Results: The total reported number of deaths between March 23rd until April 9, 2021 was 6,737. cCFR was reported as 1.70%, and death per 100,000 population was reported as 19.24 which compared favourably to figures reported by several developed countries. Highest percentages of deaths were among individuals aged between 60-69 years, males (74%), individuals with diabetes (60%), and Hypertension (50%). Conclusion: Case fatality rate and death per 100,000 population in Saudi Arabia is among the lowest in the world due to multiple factors. Several comorbidities have been identified namely diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cardiac arrhythmias.

A deep learning-based approach for predicting COVID-19 diagnosis

“…In Ref. [ 3 ] , the authors emphasize the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The number of COVID-19 infections has exceeded 500,000, and the mortality toll has surpassed 8000 within 18 months, highlighting the challenges presented by the virus.…”