CIENCIASMEDICASNEWS: Epidemiology of Coronavirus Disease in Gansu Province, China, 2020 - Volume 26, Number 6—June 2020 - Emerging Infectious Diseases journal

Author affiliations: School of Public Health, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, China (J. Fan); Institute of Immunization and Prevention Management, Shandong Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Jinan, China (X. Liu); Gansu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou (W. Pan); Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (M.W. Douglas); Storr Liver Centre and Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, University of Sydney, Sydney (M.W. Douglas); School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney (S. Bao)

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Abstract

To determine the epidemiology of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a remote region of China, far from Wuhan, we analyzed the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Gansu Province. From January 23 through February 3, 2020, a total of 35 (64.8%) of 54 reported cases were imported from COVID-19–epidemic areas. Characteristics that differed significantly during the first and second waves of illness in Gansu Province were mean patient age, occupation, having visited epidemic areas, and mode of transportation. Time from infection to illness onset for family clusters was shorter in Gansu Province than in Wuhan, consistent with shortened durations from onset to first medical visit or hospitalization. Spatial distribution pattern analysis indicated hot spots and spatial outliers in Gansu Province. As a result of adequate interventions, transmission of the COVID-19 virus in Gansu Province is decreasing.