Preliminary Survey to Understand the Epidemiology of COVID-19 and Its Socio-economic Impacts in Libya

Author(s): Abdusalam Sharef Abdusalam Mahmoud, Aziza Sulieman Mayouf, Ahlam Masaud Ellafi, Abdulgader Dhawi

Background: During the last three decades there are many viral infections emerging and re-emerge with high socio-economic and public health impacts worldwide. The Coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in China in late December 2019. Later, on 30th Jan 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has constituted the COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).

Objectives: To understand the epidemiological patterns and assessing potential socio-economic impacts of the COVID-19 is critical and how to determine these impacts on social life is considered fundamental. Therefore, the present preliminary survey was conducted firstly to understand the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in the country, and secondly to determine the socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 among Libyan population to build up strategies concerning socio-economic response by the technical team committee.

Materials and Methods: All relevant data regarding the epidemiological situation of COVID-19 in Libya was collected and interpreted. Regarding socioeconomic impacts, the questionnaire was designated and distributed online among the population in the period (April – May 2020) to determine the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 among society. The questionnaire was distributed and filled-in online. Unexpectedly, the total number of participants was relatively (141 participants). All the answers of the respondents were received through the electronic e-mail that linked with the software program (Monkey-Survey), and the obtained data was processed and analysed accordingly.

Results: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Libya was estimated to be reported on 24th March 2020. The results revealed that, from 24th March to 22 April 2020, during 30 days, about (1181) samples screened by RT-PCR, the results revealed that (59), (1), and (15) confirmed cas

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