Comparing the control of COVID-19 epidemic before and after the implementation of rapid response program in southeast of Iran

Objective(s): Organizing the rapid response team is one of the strategic mechanisms that have been used to control the COVID-19 epidemic. This study aimed to compare the COVID-19 epidemic control before and after the implementation of rapid response program in southeast Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Sistan and Baluchestan province in summer of 2021. The rapid response team has been settled in the region for 3 weeks since 3 July, and rapid response program including mass vaccination with a community-based approach has been implemented in catchment populations of three universities of medical sciences including Zaheadn, Iranshahr and Zabon. Data were collected from June 5, until September 23, 2021 and analyzed using descriptive statistics in Excel software. Results: During the study period, a total of 2,514,911 people were admitted and 2,125,389 people (84.5%) were discharged. 58,441 (2.3%) of the cases were hospitalized. The total number of tests taken during the study period was 310,741 (111,978 tests per million population). This rate decreased about 15% after the implementation (36% versus 21.7%). The total number of positive death cases was estimated at 0.9 per 1000 population. After the implementation, the mean number of hospitalized cases (59 patients per day), the mean difference of positive laboratory cases (400 cases per day), and the mean difference in the number of deaths (confirmed cases) decreased to eight cases per day. Conclusion: The findings showed that the implementation of rapid response program with community-based approach in was successful in controlling the COVID-19 epidemic