COVID 19 infection during first and second wave in Madhya Pradesh, Central India

Abstract

India has experienced a massive surge of COVID 19 cases and death since its appearance in January 2020. In the present cohort study, the percent positivity of non-hospitalized COVID-19 cases among male and female of different age group were analysed, during both first and second wave. A total of 1,75,739 patients, from non-hospitalised settings, were referred/walked-in to our diagnostic centre in the present cohort study between August 2020-June 2021. The collection and testing were approved by NABL, Government of India.: Of the tested samples, 40999 (39.15%) males and 28730 (40.46%) females were positive for COVID-19. The second wave (February 2021-June 2021) detected higher number of positive cases (13,922 vs 55,807, p<0.001). During the first wave (August 2020-January 2021), percent positivity was more amongst male (31.28±10.75%), but second wave recorded higher percent positivity amongst female (56.8±12.24%). Asymptomatic female cases were higher during both waves (2,769; 54.05±5.85% vs 14,166; 59.48±9.88%). The highest percent positivity was amongst older >60 years of age (37.47±16.69) in both waves and lowest amongst 18-30 years (23.17±13.86%). Fever was the predominant symptom in both waves (95%) followed by cough (70% vs 86%). Abdominal pain, nausea and chest pain were prominent in the first wave. Few reports are available from India on non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients. This study will help for developing knowledge on the role of symptomatic and asymptomatic cases in transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Central part of India amongst non-hospitalized cases and will help for developing strategies to prepare for impending subsequent waves in disparate population groups across India.