Factors Influencing Global Variations in COVID-19 Cases and Fatalities; A Review

Abstract

Since the first cases of the novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) were diagnosed in China, outcomes associated with this infection in terms of total numbers of cases and deaths have varied widely between countries. While some countries had minimal rates of infections and deaths, other countries were hit hard by the pandemic. Countries with highest numbers of cases continued to change over time, but at the time of submission of this article they are: USA, Brazil, Russia, UK, India, Spain, Italy, Peru and Chile. This is in contrary to many countries in the Middle East, Far East, and Africa, which had lower cases or deaths/cases rates. This raised many questions pertaining to this variation. This overview explores the potential factors that contribute to spread, transmission and outcomes of the COVID-19 infection. It also uses an evidence-based approach in reviewing the available most recent literature that tackled the various factors that modify the populations' response to COVID-19, namely, factors pertaining to population characteristics, environmental and geographic factors.

Keywords: COVID-19; age; genetics; geographic factors; social factors.

Figure 1

Possible factors implicated in the variability of disease outcomes of infection and fatality among countries.