A new strain of Coronavirus (Enveloped positive-strand RNA viruses) named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) by International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) [1].

It has overwhelmed the world with its rapid spread and high number of cases.

COVID -19  has been reported  from all aged patients. 

Severity can vary from asymptomatic infection to critical diseases, across different regions and gender [2].

The aggressive testing, containment strategy (isolation of cases and quarantine of contacts), clinical care of symptomatic and COVID safe behaviour are the hallmark of pandemic control [3]. 

In order to strengthen our fight against this pandemic, India has scaled up its laboratory infrastructure rapidly [4]. 

Diagnostic laboratories has important role in early detection of the disease and preventing it from spreading.

Aim

This study aims to describe demographic characteristic (based on symptoms,  age, gender and region) of COVID-19 patients in Central India.

Objective

To analyse the laboratory data of RTPCR testing for sars-cov-2 in SVRDL at Govt. Medical college, Nagpur.

• Nasopharyngeal swabs of the patients were collected  in a VTM tube with all biosafety precautions [5]

• Packed in a triple container packing

• Transported under a cold chain to SVRDL

• VTM  containing samples were received maintaining cold chain [6].

• Personal protective equipment (PPE kits) were used [7]

• VTM tube ids were checked with the details in the filled sample collection forms

• VTM tubes were checked for leaks, for the color of media, label, patient id and stored according to ICMR guidelines till testing

• TESTING-Total 106178 samples were analyzed by RT-PCR

• Different RT-PCR kits like COVIDsure, were used

• Results analyzed according to respective  Cycle threshold (CT) value

• Multiple RT-PCR assay for the RdRP (RNA –dependent rna polymerase) , N((nucleocapsid) and E(envelope) genes were verified

COVID 19 infection rates are low among children and adolescent (9.49%). It sharply increases after 20 years and maximum affected age group is found to be 51-60 years (32.25%) (Figure1)

Infectivity was more among males 8733(53.12%) than females 7707(46.88%) (Figure 2)

Figure 1: Age-wise Percentage Distribution of Study Participants

Figure 2: Gender-wise Percentage Distribution of Study Participants

Among COVID 19 positives asymptomatic (72.11%) out number symptomatic cases (27.89%) fever (73.69%) was the most common, followed by dry cough (31.63), dyspnea (29%), sore throat (21.17%) and nasal symptoms (21%).

Considerable political and medical emphasis has been placed on rapid access to testing both to identify infected individuals so as to direct appropriate therapy, and to implement containment measures to limit the spread of diseases [8-9]. In present study out of 106178 samples 13578 tested positive for COVID 19. Difference in RT-PCR positivity can be attributed to lab capacity for testing, health seeking behaviors and testing strategies’ in terms of who gets tested.

In present study males (53.12%) were more affected than females similar to Li Q et al. [10-11] 2020 (56%) from China. Older age (51-60) showed more positivity as compared to children and adolescent in present study. It has been observed that male gender and older age are risk factors for higher severity and mortality in patients with COVID 19.                              

Significant proportion of our patients were asymptomatic [11]. This is a cause of measure concern as asymptomatic patients are potential carriers and source of diseases to the community[12]. Most symptomatic patients experienced fever as predominant symptom followed by dry cough, dyspnea, sore throat and nasal symptoms. Thus, fever is an alarming sign, early clue to infection and usually, associated with more severe illness and increase hospital stay.

• COVID 19 mortality increases sharply at older ages, with very few deaths occuring before 50. Therefore, age and sex specific pattern of Infections are key for understanding and explaining differences in COVID 19 transmission and fatality

• Fever is an alarming sign of diseases and is usually associated with more severe illness and increase hospital stay

• Our findings are based on analysis of laboratory data of RT-PCR testing. We identify high prevalence of infection in age group between 51-60 years

• Our analysis reveals that males were more often affected than females. positivity in asymptomatic  patient was more as compared to symptomatic. Among symptomatic patients’ fever was found to be the most common symptom. Surveillances, Contact tracing and quarantine centers are critical components of an effective public health response to COVID-19 as number of asymptomatic positives were found to be more than symptomatic ones

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10. Yang X et al. "Clinical course and outcomes of critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia in Wuhan, China: a single-centered, retrospective, observational study." The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, vol. 8, no. 5, 2020, pp. 475–481.

11. Guan W.J. et al. "Clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in China." New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 382, 2020, pp. 1708–1720. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa2002032

12. Mohan A et al. "Clinico-demographic profile and hospital outcomes of COVID-19 patients admitted at a tertiary care centre in north India." Indian Journal of Medical Research, vol. 152, no. 1, 2020, p. 61.