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Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to describe COVID-19’s epidemiological characteristics in Oman during the initial stages of the outbreak and compare findings with other countries’ reports. Methods: Data were drawn from a descriptive, records-based review of reported cases of COVID-19 collected through the national COVID-19 Surveillance System from February to April 2020. Results: A total of 2,443 confirmed cases were reported during the study period. The overall first-time testing rate for this period was 851.7 per 100,000, the positivity rate was 53.1 (confidence intervals [CI]: 51.0–55.2) and the death rate was 0.32 (CI: 0.20–0.54) per 100,000 population, respectively. The overall national positive ratio was 5.7% and ranged from 2.2–7.1% across various governorates. Muscat Governorate had the highest positive ratio (12.5%). People in the 51–60 year old age group (RR = 1.97), males (RR = 1.24), non-Omanis (RR = 2.33) and those living in Muscat (RR = 2.14) emerged as categories with significant demographic risk for COVID-19 cases when compared to the national average. The mean age was 35.6 ± 13.4. Asymptomatic cases accounted for nearly 16%. Conclusion: The overall rate of COVID-19 cases and deaths were low in Oman compared to the rest of the world during the study period.


Keywords: Coronavirus; COVID-19; SARS-CoV2; Epidemiology; Pandemic; Oman.

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How to Cite
Al-Rawahi, B., P, P. K., Al-Wahaibi, A., Al-Jardani, A., Al-Harthy, K., Kurup, P. J., Al-Moqbali, A., Al-Tubi, M., Al-Mayahi, Z., Al-Maani, A., & Al-Abri, S. (2021). Epidemiological Characteristics of Pandemic Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) in Oman. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal, 21(2), e195–202. https://doi.org/10.18295/squmj.2021.21.02.007

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