Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients in Kurdistan Region/Iraq

Abstract

World Health Organization declared new coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a pandemic disease. The number of infected increased rapidly all over the world. The information regarding epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 is lacking in Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Data were collected from the records of ministry of health. A total 521 confirmed cases enrolled to this study. The mean age was 30 years old, men and women are likely to acquire COVID-19. Highest number of cases were found in Erbil city. Majority of the patients were asymptomatic, however, the most common signs and symptoms were: fever, coughing, breathing difficulties, sore throat, muscle pain and headache, whereas, majority of the patients who passed away were asymptomatic. Mortality rate was highest (8%) among people aged 36-51 years old. In addition, Erbil had highest mortality rate (10%) in comparison to Sulaimaniyah and Halabjah. Determining the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 and detecting the infection source and investing the behaviour of novel coronavirus is essential to understand the pandemic.