Abstract:

In 8 March, 2020 COVID-19 was first confirmed in Bangladesh. We aimed to clarify the epidemiological distribution of first forty-eight confirmed COVID-19 cases in Bangladesh till 28 March, 2020. It was a retrospective descriptive study in Bangladesh from 8 March, 2020 to 28 March, 2020 on the basis of official press briefing of IEDCR on behalf of Ministry of Health in Bangladesh, different newspapers and online news portals. Among forty-eight cases, majorities (60%) were male and about 17% cases were unidentified. About 46 % cases were within 21-40 years of age. About 4% cases were from below 10 years of age and about 15% were from more than 60 years of age. About 12% cases age was unidentified. Mortality rate were also high in old age group. Total 11% cases were died from this COVID-19 and among them 40% were 70 years old. About 31% had travelling history from abroad. In case of 7% cases, their travelling countries were unidentified. Most of them (35%) were from Dhaka city. About 24% cases residence were not identified. About 33% of these 48 cases, they were exposed by their family members or community transmission. Only 10% cases were from health service and among them 60% were doctors/physicians and 40% were nurses. Majority of them (58%) were still remain in hospital or treatment purpose. About 11% were died and most of them were more than 65 years of age. COVID-19 is more dangerous in elderly male cases and mortality is also high in this group. Community gathering places like capital city of Bangladesh had high rate of COVID-19 occurrences. Direct transmission rate was higher rather than community/family transmission till to date.

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