Epidemiological characteristics of the first 116 974 cases of COVID-19 in Argentina, 2020

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to characterize the first 116,974 COVID-19 cases in Argentina. METHODS: An
epidemiological surveillance study was conducted. Epidemiological, demographic and clinical characteristics of the RT-PCR confirmed  cases reported to the National Health Surveillance System were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 51.2% of the cases  locally transmitted, with 32.3% of close contacts and 0.9% of imported cases. Health workers accounted for 7.6%. The median  age was 37 years (interquartile range: 26-51). Among the confirmed cases, 67.0% reported signs or symptoms. Of these, 59.0%  reported fever. The respiratory system was the most affected (78.5%), while 23.9% reported loss of smell, and 18.3%, of taste.  There were 2134 deaths, 81.6% >60 years old. National  case fatality rate was 6% at the beginning of the outbreak and then  decreased to 1.8% by July 17, 2020. Mortality rate was 4.7 deaths per 100,000 habitants. Regarding comorbidities, the most  frequent was arterial hypertension (15.8%). Among the deceased people, arterial hypertension was the most frequent (58.7%) in those ≥60 years old, and diabetes (29.9%) in those <60. There were no comorbidities in 5.2% of the deceased ≥60 years old  and in 15.1% of those <60. DISCUSSION: The epidemic in Argentina started with imported cases, then moving towards local  transmission and specific cluster outbreaks. Incidence in health workers and fatality rate have been decreasing in the last  months, resulting in mortality rates lower than in other countries of the region and the world. It is necessary to conduct specific studies in order to assess the association between comorbidities and mortality