Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda

Abstract Introduction Africa was threatened by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the limited health care infrastructure. Rwanda has consistently used non-pharmaceutical strategies, such as lockdown, curfew, and enforcement of prevention measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Despit...

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Main Authors: Muhammed Semakula, François Niragire, Sabin Nsanzimana, Eric Remera, Christel Faes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-05-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15888-1
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author Muhammed Semakula
François Niragire
Sabin Nsanzimana
Eric Remera
Christel Faes
author_facet Muhammed Semakula
François Niragire
Sabin Nsanzimana
Eric Remera
Christel Faes
author_sort Muhammed Semakula
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Africa was threatened by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the limited health care infrastructure. Rwanda has consistently used non-pharmaceutical strategies, such as lockdown, curfew, and enforcement of prevention measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Despite the mitigation measures taken, the country has faced a series of outbreaks in 2020 and 2021. In this paper, we investigate the nature of epidemic phenomena in Rwanda and the impact of imported cases on the spread of COVID-19 using endemic-epidemic spatio-temporal models. Our study provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of the epidemic in Rwanda and monitoring its phenomena to inform public health decision-makers for timely and targeted interventions. Results The findings provide insights into the effects of lockdown and imported infections in Rwanda’s COVID-19 outbreaks. The findings showed that imported infections are dominated by locally transmitted cases. The high incidence was predominant in urban areas and at the borders of Rwanda with its neighboring countries. The inter-district spread of COVID-19 was very limited due to mitigation measures taken in Rwanda. Conclusion The study recommends using evidence-based decisions in the management of epidemics and integrating statistical models in the analytics component of the health information system.
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spelling doaj.art-ecbd21b3ef3a4ee4ab0763210c551dc72023-05-28T11:30:06ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582023-05-0123111310.1186/s12889-023-15888-1Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in RwandaMuhammed Semakula0François Niragire1Sabin Nsanzimana2Eric Remera3Christel Faes4I-BioStat, Hasselt UniversityDepartment of Applied Statistics, University of Rwanda, KigaliRwanda Biomedical Centre, Ministry of HealthRwanda Biomedical Centre, Ministry of HealthI-BioStat, Hasselt UniversityAbstract Introduction Africa was threatened by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the limited health care infrastructure. Rwanda has consistently used non-pharmaceutical strategies, such as lockdown, curfew, and enforcement of prevention measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Despite the mitigation measures taken, the country has faced a series of outbreaks in 2020 and 2021. In this paper, we investigate the nature of epidemic phenomena in Rwanda and the impact of imported cases on the spread of COVID-19 using endemic-epidemic spatio-temporal models. Our study provides a framework for understanding the dynamics of the epidemic in Rwanda and monitoring its phenomena to inform public health decision-makers for timely and targeted interventions. Results The findings provide insights into the effects of lockdown and imported infections in Rwanda’s COVID-19 outbreaks. The findings showed that imported infections are dominated by locally transmitted cases. The high incidence was predominant in urban areas and at the borders of Rwanda with its neighboring countries. The inter-district spread of COVID-19 was very limited due to mitigation measures taken in Rwanda. Conclusion The study recommends using evidence-based decisions in the management of epidemics and integrating statistical models in the analytics component of the health information system.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15888-1COVID-19Spatio-temporal modelsEpidemiology
spellingShingle Muhammed Semakula
François Niragire
Sabin Nsanzimana
Eric Remera
Christel Faes
Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
BMC Public Health
COVID-19
Spatio-temporal models
Epidemiology
title Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
title_full Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
title_fullStr Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
title_full_unstemmed Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
title_short Spatio-temporal dynamic of the COVID-19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in Rwanda
title_sort spatio temporal dynamic of the covid 19 epidemic and the impact of imported cases in rwanda
topic COVID-19
Spatio-temporal models
Epidemiology
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-15888-1
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