COVID-19 pandemic outbreak: the Brazilian reality from the first case to the collapse of health services

Abstract Coronavirus is associated with several infectious diseases that cause outbreaks in humans, such as SARS in 2002-2003 and MERS in 2012. In December 2019, COVID-19, promoted by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, was first reported in Wuhan (China) as a new coronavirus disease. This outbreak quickly reached a pandemic status, affecting at least 185 countries and territories to date on all continents. The first case of COVID-19 reported in São Paulo city (Brazil) occurred in February 26th. Days later, 182 suspected cases in 16 states were being monitored. In May 30th, 514,849 cases and 29,314 deaths were confirmed in Brazil comprising all 26 states and Federal District. The primary measure in order to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 involved social isolation. At that time there were not enough diagnostic tests to identify infected individuals and data were strongly associated with sub notifications. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of this measure largely depends on the individual’s social responsibility. This measure has a severe economic and social impact, as in other countries. In this review, we present an overview and scientific perspectives of the evolution of COVID-19 from Brazilian databases in which climate and economic situations differ from China, European countries, and the USA.

摘要 冠状病毒（Coronavirus）与多种可引发人类暴发疫情的传染病相关，例如2002-2003年的严重急性呼吸综合征（SARS，Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome）及2012年的中东呼吸综合征（MERS，Middle East Respiratory Syndrome）。2019年12月，由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2，Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2）引发的新型冠状病毒病——新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19，Corona Virus Disease 2019），首次在中国武汉被报道。此次疫情迅速演变为全球大流行，截至目前已波及各大洲至少185个国家和地区。巴西圣保罗市报告的首例COVID-19病例出现于2月26日。数日后，巴西16个州的182例疑似病例正处于监测中。5月30日，巴西全国26个州及联邦特区累计确诊514849例病例、死亡29314例。遏制SARS-CoV-2传播的首要防控措施为社交隔离。彼时诊断检测试剂匮乏，难以识别感染者，相关数据存在大量漏报情况。不过，该措施的有效性很大程度上取决于个体的社会责任意识。与其他国家一样，此项措施造成了严重的经济与社会冲击。本综述基于巴西的数据库——该国气候与经济状况均不同于中国、欧洲国家及美国，对COVID-19的疫情演变进行概述，并探讨相关科学研究前景。