Descriptive epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 in Nigeria, 27 February–6 June 2020
Kelly Elimian, Chinwe Lucia Ochu, Elsie Ilori, John Oladejo, Ehimario Igumbor, Laura C. Steinhardt, John Wagai, Chinedu Arinze, Winifred Ukponu, Celestina Obiekea, Olaolu Aderinola, Emily Crawford, Adebola Olayinka, Chioma Dan-Nwafor, Tochi Okwor, Yahya Disu, Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye, Nnenna Kanu, Olatayo Olawepo, Olusola Aruna, C. A. Michael, Lauryn Dunkwu, Oladipupo Ipadeola, Dhamari Naidoo, Chukwuma David Umeokonkwo, Anne Thushara Matthias, Oyeladun Okunromade, Sikiru Badaru, Arisekola Jinadu, Oladipo Ogunbode, Abiodun Egwuenu, A. Jafiya, Mahmood Dalhat, Fatima Saleh, G. B. Ebhodaghe, Anthony Ahumibe, Rimamdeyati Yashe, Rhoda Atteh, William Nwachukwu, Chidiebere Ezeokafor, David O. Olaleye, Z G Habib, Ismail Abdus-Salam, E. Pembi, Doris John, Uwaifiokun Okhuarobo, Hadeel Assad, Yazdan Gandi, Bilal Abdullahi Muhammad, C. Nwagwogu, Ifeoma Nwadiuto, Kazeem O. Sulaiman, I. Iwuji, Abdulkadir Baba Okeji, Samuel Thliza, Stephen Fagbemi, Rabi Usman, Ahsayen Mohammed, Oluwatoyin Adeola-Musa, M. Ishaka, Udi Aketemo, Khadeejah Kamaldeen, Chijioke Obagha, Akinfemi Oyewumi Akinyode, Patrick Nguku, Nwando Mba, Chikwe Ihekweazu
Abstract
The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria with a view of generating evidence to enhance planning and response strategies. A national surveillance dataset between 27 February and 6 June 2020 was retrospectively analysed, with confirmatory testing for COVID-19 done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence (CI) and case fatality (CF). A total of 40 926 persons (67% of total 60 839) had complete records of RT-PCR test across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, 12 289 (30.0%) of whom were confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those confirmed cases, 3467 (28.2%) had complete records of clinical outcome (alive or dead), 342 (9.9%) of which died. The overall CI and CF were 5.6 per 100 000 population and 2.8%, respectively. The highest proportion of COVID-19 cases and deaths were recorded in persons aged 31-40 years (25.5%) and 61-70 years (26.6%), respectively; and males accounted for a higher proportion of confirmed cases (65.8%) and deaths (79.0%). Sixty-six per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic at diagnosis. In conclusion, this paper has provided an insight into the early epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which could be useful for contextualising public health planning.