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. 2024 May 23;4(5):e0003175.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003175. eCollection 2024.

Regional and temporal variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 enhanced surveillance and response

Gizaw Teka  1 , Adane Woldeab  1   2 , Nebiyu Dereje  3 , Frehywot Eshetu  4 , Lehageru Gizachew  2 , Zelalem Tazu  2 , Leuel Lisanwork  2 , Eyasu Tigabu  2 , Ayele Gebeyehu  1 , Adamu Tayachew  1 , Mengistu Biru  1 , Tsegaye Berkessa  1 , Abrham Keraleme  1 , Fentahun Bikale  1 , Wolde Shure  1 , Admikew Agune  1 , Bizuwork Haile  1 , Beza Addis  1 , Muluken Moges  1 , Melaku Gonta  1 , Aster Hailemariam  1 , Laura Binkley  5 , Saira Nawaz  5 , Shu-Hua Wang  5   6 , Zelalem Mekuria  5 , Ayalew Aklilu  3 , Jemal Aliy  3 , Sileshi Lulseged  3 , Abiy Girmay  7 , Abok Patrick  7 , Berhanu Amare  4 , Hulemenaw Delelegn  4 , Sharon Daves  4 , Getnet Yimer  8 , Ebba Abate  2 , Mesfin Wossen  1 , Zenebe Melaku  3 , Wondwossen Gebreyes  5   9 , Desmond E Williams  4 , Aschalew Abayneh  1
Affiliations

Regional and temporal variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia: Lessons learned from the COVID-19 enhanced surveillance and response

Gizaw Teka et al. PLOS Glob Public Health. .

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the most devastating public health emergencies of international concern to have occurred in the past century. To ensure a safe, scalable, and sustainable response, it is imperative to understand the burden of disease, epidemiological trends, and responses to activities that have already been implemented. We aimed to analyze how COVID-19 tests, cases, and deaths varied by time and region in the general population and healthcare workers (HCWs) in Ethiopia.

Methods: COVID-19 data were captured between October 01, 2021, and September 30, 2022, in 64 systematically selected health facilities throughout Ethiopia. The number of health facilities included in the study was proportionally allocated to the regional states of Ethiopia. Data were captured by standardized tools and formats. Analysis of COVID-19 testing performed, cases detected, and deaths registered by region and time was carried out.

Results: We analyzed 215,024 individuals' data that were captured through COVID-19 surveillance in Ethiopia. Of the 215,024 total tests, 18,964 COVID-19 cases (8.8%, 95% CI: 8.7%- 9.0%) were identified and 534 (2.8%, 95% CI: 2.6%- 3.1%) were deceased. The positivity rate ranged from 1% in the Afar region to 15% in the Sidama region. Eight (1.2%, 95% CI: 0.4%- 2.0%) HCWs died out of 664 infected HCWs, of which 81.5% were from Addis Ababa. Three waves of outbreaks were detected during the analysis period, with the highest positivity rate of 35% during the Omicron period and the highest rate of ICU beds and mechanical ventilators (38%) occupied by COVID-19 patients during the Delta period.

Conclusions: The temporal and regional variations in COVID-19 cases and deaths in Ethiopia underscore the need for concerted efforts to address the disparities in the COVID-19 surveillance and response system. These lessons should be critically considered during the integration of the COVID-19 surveillance system into the routine surveillance system.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Completeness and timeliness of the COVID-19 surveillance data by region.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Regional distribution of COVID-19 cases in Ethiopia from Oct 01, 2021 –Sept 30, 2022 (source of the base map shape file: https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-eth).
Fig 3
Fig 3. The trend of COVID-19 tests, cases, and positivity rate in Ethiopia from Oct 01, 2021 Sept 30, 2022.
Fig 4
Fig 4. COVID-19 hospitalization, ICU beds, and mechanical ventilators occupied in Ethiopia (Oct 01, 2021 –Sept 30, 2022).
Fig 5
Fig 5. Number of COVID-19 deaths in regions of Ethiopia from October 01, 2021 –September 30, 2022 (source of the base map shape file: https://data.humdata.org/dataset/cod-ab-eth).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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