Analysis on epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 in Qingpu District of Shanghai / 上海预防医学

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze epidemic characteristics of COVID-19 epidemic in Qingpu District of Shanghai and provide evidence for prevention and control of COVID-19. Methods The COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the medical facilities in Qingpu District were included in the study.Descriptive epidemiology was employed to describe diagnosis, clinical symptoms and possible exposure. Results There were 53 suspected cases identified in Qingpu District, 47 of which were excluded and 6 were confirmed.Two confirmed cases were identified when seeking medical treatment and 4 by other means.Of the confirmed cases, 83.3% were male and 66.7% were imported.Their initial symptom was mainly cough.The 75.0% of the confirmed cases had underlying diseases.By PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2, 100.0% of the sputum specimens tested positive, 50.0% of the nasopharyngeal swabs were positive, whereas 100.0% of the throat swabs were negative. Conclusion COVID-19 is more common in men than in women.The positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 in sputum samples is highest, followed by nasopharyngeal swabs and throat swabs.It is crucial to implement the countermeasures at earlier stages, such as strengthening the road entrance monitoring, at-home or intensive health observation of foreign visitors for early identification of suspected COVID-19 cases.