Estudio epidemiológico descriptivo transversal de la “quinta ola” en la Zona Básica de Salud de Benavente Norte: comparación y diferencias apreciadas con la primera y segunda ola

Abstract

Objectives. To know the epidemiological characteristics of the “fifth wave” in the Basic Health Zone (ZBS) of Benavente Norte (Zamora, Spain) and the most significant differences with the first two. Material and Methods. Descriptive and cross-sectional epidemiological study that has included all patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease in the ZBS of Benavente Norte during the observed period, all were registered in MEDORA and a daily computerized record was also kept with the number of Active Infection Tests (PDIA) performed, the positive ones, the admissions, and the deaths. Results. Our observation period for this fifth wave ranged from June 20 to September 30. In our health area with a population of 12,674 users, in the observed period there were 229 cases of coronavirus disease, with a very uneven distribution in this period, most of the cases (182) occurred in the month of July. We only registered three cases that required hospital admission and one death. The distribution of cases by sex was higher in men than in women and the mean age of those affected was much lower than in other waves: 29.77 years (27.43 years for men and 32.11 years for women). The incidence was clearly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. Conclusions. We experienced the maximum peak of this wave in July where we reached a cumulative incidence of more than 700 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 14 days, gradually and significantly decreasing in August, until only 7 cases were registered in the month of September. There was greater affectation in men than in women, The most affected area was urban and the average age of those affected in this wave has been much lower than in the previous ones, observing that 12.02% of those infected had received the complete pattern vaccination. We had only 1 fatal case, unlike other waves as well.