Epidemiological characteristics of pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19)‎ in Oman

الملخص EN

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.