Epidemiology of COVID-19 in Individuals under 18 Years Old in Cartagena, Colombia: An Ecological Study of the First 14 Months of the Pandemic

The epidemiology of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been scarcely described in individuals under 18 years old, particularly during the first months of the pandemic. The study aimed to describe the COVID-19 epidemiology in the Colombian department of Bolívar from March 2020 to April 2021 among individuals under 18 years. Furthermore, we explored whether the use of data generated by a Bolívar reference laboratory captures the departmental epidemiology. Two information sources were used; the national COVID-19 surveillance system and the Bolívar COVID-19 reference laboratory. In using a population-based ecological approach and information from confirmed symptomatic cases, epidemic curves and heat maps were constructed to assess the COVID-19 dynamics and patterns by sex, age, and residence (Cartagena vs. 45 other municipalities). The COVID-19 incidence was comparable between males and females but varied by age group, being higher in children aged 10 years and older. Cartagena had a significantly higher number of cases and experienced early epidemic peaks. Our analyses suggest that information generated by the reference laboratory does not capture the COVID-19 departmental epidemiology, despite conducting population-based surveillance across Bolívar. The study provides a retrospective characterization of the COVID-19 epidemiology in an understudied population and information that may be useful for future evidence-based responses

Negative correlation between altitude and COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia: a preliminary report

Se ha sugerido que la gran altitud puede reducir la infecciosidad y la tasa de letalidad del COVID-19. Investigamos la relación entre la altitud y la pandemia de COVID-19 en Colombia. Los datos epidemiológicos incluyeron el número de casos positivos, muertes y la tasa de letalidad de COVID-19. En particular, analizamos datos de 70 ciudades con altitudes entre 1 y 3,180 m. Se realizaron correlaciones y modelos de regresión lineal ajustados a la densidad de población para examinar la relación y contribución de la altitud a las variables epidemiológicas. La tasa de letalidad se correlacionó negativamente con la altitud de las ciudades. La incidencia de casos y muertes por COVID-19 tuvo una aparente correlación con la altitud; sin embargo, estas variables se explican mejor por la densidad de poblaciónIt has been suggested that high altitude can reduce the infectivity and case fatality rate of COVID-19. We investigated the relationship between altitude and the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. Epidemiological data included the number of positive cases, deaths, and the case fatality rate of COVID-19. In particular, we analyzed data from 70 cities with altitudes between 1 and 3,180 m. Correlations and linear regression models adjusted to population density were performed to examine the relationship and contribution of altitude to epidemiological variables. The case fatality rate was negatively correlated with the altitude of the cities. The incidence of cases and deaths from COVID-19 had an apparent correlation with altitude; however, these variables were better explained by population density. In general, these findings suggest that living at high altitude can reduce the impact of COVID-19, especially the case fatality rate