A Recent Study on the Global Epidemiology of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Population-level Observation till the End of 2020

Abstract

One recent study analyzed epidemiological data of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) from 17 countries within the first 90 days of lockdown in Wuhan, China. However, it is important to understand the current global situation for precautionary measures. The present study aims to analyze the global epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic from 212 countries until the end of 2020. In this population-level observational study, we sourced data from 212 countries from worldometers.info until December 31, 2020. The data was analyzed for epidemiological factors, including the case rates, active cases, recovery rates, severe cases, mortality, and case fatality. Although the worldwide recovery rate is 70·78%, the mortality and case fatality rates are 0·02% and 2·18%, respectively. The prevalence of cases is high in Andorra (10·41%), and the rate of active cases is high in Martinique (97·69%), France (90·12%), and Belgium (90·09%). Although Guinea-Bissau (50%), Antiqua and Barbuda (16·67%), and Saudi Arabia (13·81%) also show a high number of cases, the recovery rate is around 90%. In Yemen, both severe cases (24·21%) and case fatality rates (29·06%) are high; however, the recovery rate is just above the average of 66·41%. Macao, Marshal Island, New Caledonia, and Singapore have a 100% recovery rate. The recovery rate is high worldwide, and the mortality rate is lower. However, the severity of the disease is high in Yemen. These results provide continuous surveillance of the COVID-19 pandemic for the worldwide scientific community.