Review of COVID-19 epidemiology and public health response in Europe in 2020.
Clin Epidemiol Glob Health
; 12: 100882, 2021.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1506495
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
This study focuses on the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Europe and investigates public health response in severely hit countries.METHODS:
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker and Health System Response Monitor were referred. The relationship between stringency index and COVID-19 cases, and between speed of stringency implementation and growth of cases was examined using linear regression.RESULTS:
The case-fatality ratio (CFR) of Europe (2.35%) was higher than the global CFR (2.2%). United Kingdom, Russia, France, Italy, Spain, and Germany together, accounted for 61.15% of cases and 65.62% of deaths in Europe. Significant relationship was observed between growth of COVID-19 cases and late substantive stringency imposed by countries. Population aged 65 and above (r = 0.9037, p < 0.01) and male population (r = 0.8701, p < 0.01) were significantly and positively correlated with COVID-19 deaths. The public health system of even big European countries encountered roadblocks, such as shortages of healthcare resources and deferral of non-COVID-19 treatments while dealing with the unprecedented pandemic.CONCLUSION:
Even big and richest European countries delayed the implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions which led to rapid virus transmission. The pandemic has posed a reminder to make the public health system more resilient, as epidemics and pandemics of this nature will continue to threaten in future as well.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Observational study
Language:
English
Journal:
Clin Epidemiol Glob Health
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.cegh.2021.100882
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