Spatial and Epidemiological Analyses of COVID-19 in the Older Population of the Brazilian Amazon Region During 2020

Abstract

Background and aims: In December 2019, the disease associated with SARS-CoV-2 was identified as the new coronavirus (COVID-19). The older population is regarded as the greatest risk group. The objective of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological aspects of COVID-19 during 2020 in the older adults in the Brazilians Amazon region. Methods: The present study is a longitudinal study based on a national database from the Website of the State Department of Health of Para from January to December 2020. Medical, socio-demographic, and geographical data were analyzed to assess the epidemiological data to verify whether there was an association between these variables using logistic regression. Results: Official data published until December 31 indicated 293802 confirmed cases and 7199 deaths from COVID-19 in the state of Para, as well as a 12.5% rate of fatality. Para has demonstrated a linear curve in relation to the number of deaths since August. More cases of COVID-19 were found among the older people, men, and people who declared themselves brown, and a greater chance of death was observed among indigenous and yellow people. Conclusion: Brazil is among the five countries with the highest number of infected cases and deaths resulting from COVID19, possibly due to poor planning concerning social isolation and the lack of public health policies and guidance by government leaders, especially in this specific context.