The current situation of COVID-19 in Sudan

Abstract

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a global public health concern with rapid growth in the number of patients with significant mortality rates. The first case in Sudan was reported on 13 March 2020, and up to 3 July 2020 there are 9894 confirmed cases and 616 deaths. The case fatality rate was 6.23%. There is variation in case fatality rate (CFR), which in some cities (like Khartoum) was low (3.8%), but in others (like North Darfur) it was very high (31.7%). The government of Sudan has implemented preventive measures during the current coronavirus disease pandemic, such as partial lockdown, contact monitoring, risk communication, social distance, quarantine and isolation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. However, there are new community cases every day; this could be as a result of the weak application of these measures by the government, and the lack of commitment of people to these measures. The number of COVID-19 cases is currently decreasing in Sudan, but we are expected to see an increase in numbers of cases as a result of the massive demonstrations that occurred in Sudan recently, and as a result of the expected reopening and restoration of normal life. The government must increase testing facilities, and maintain social distancing and necessary precautions to limit the spread of infection after life returns to normal.

<p>High Mortality Rate in Adult COVID-19 Inpatients in Eastern Sudan: A Retrospective Study</p>

“…preventive measures by the government. 4 On the other hand, the mortality rate in our study was markedly higher than that reported in different studies across the globe: Italy (0.007%, 0.005%), 15 India (2 to 3%), 25 the United States of America (6%), 13 and France (22.8%). 26 Many explanations have been proposed for the considerable variation in the mortality rate in different parts of the world.…”

“…24 This study documented a general mortality rate of 37.5%, which is higher than the general case fatality rate (6.23%) that was recently reported for Sudan. 4 However, higher mortality rates were also found in North Darfur (31.7%) and Central Darfur (60%) in Sudan. 4 This extreme variation in mortality in Sudan might be related to the lack of hospitals, under-reporting the actual number of cases due to a lack of testing facilities, and could also be attributed to the partial success of the implemented…”

“…3 The reported case fatality rate was 6.23%, with a significant variation in that rate in some Sudanese cities. 4 Fever, cough, shortness of breath, besides a history of recent contact with COVID-19positive patients or recent travel, were the main presentations. 5 The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is a standard diagnostic test to detect viral nucleotides via an oropharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab, bronchoalveolar lavage, or tracheal aspirate.…”

“…12,13 Other factors can increase the rate of morbidity and mortality, such as a weak healthcare system and non-adherence to restrictive preventive means, including distancing or wearing protective masks. 4 All the factors mentioned above may affect the mortality rate at the national and international levels, and the rates obtained for the United States of America at (6%) 14 and (65.4%), 15 and for Italy at 0.007% and 0.005%, vary considerably. 16 There is a scarcity of published data on the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Sudan.…”

“…16 There is a scarcity of published data on the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Sudan. 4 To the best of the author's knowledge, there are no published data on the manifestations, mortality rate, and risk factors for COVID-19 mortality in Eastern Sudan. The objective of the present study is to describe the patients' epidemiology and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality for this disease in a hospital in Eastern Sudan.…”