Analysis of the path from discovery of novel coronavirus disease 2019 cases to its diagnosis in Shaanxi Province / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the problems and experience in the prevention and control of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by analyzing the path from its discovery to its diagnosis in Shaanxi Province. Methods: We collected the important data of COVID-19 epidemic situation in Shaanxi Province as of March 26, 2020, the trajectory of the diagnosed cases, contact history, close contacts and other important information for a descriptive epidemiological analysis. Results: Totally 72.65% (178/245) of the confirmed COVID-19 cases in Shaanxi Province were not in isolation or management at the time of onset, which resulted in an infection rate of 1.37% in close-knit populations. The duration between the onset of local COVID-19 cases in Shaanxi and the delay in confirmed diagnosis was relatively long (6.30 days), and the mean incubation period was 7.27 days. The delay time (7.29 days) between onset and diagnosis of preepidemic cases was longer than that (6.19 days) of later epidemic cases. Conclusion: According to the epidemic situation, we should gradually sort out the loopholes in previous work and at the same time make timely evaluation of the new problems arising under the new situation and constantly adjust the prevention and control strategies.