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 冠状病毒可引发多种可导致人类暴发疫情的传染性疾病，例如2002-2003年的严重急性呼吸综合征（SARS）与2012年的中东呼吸综合征（MERS）。2019年12月，由严重急性呼吸综合征冠状病毒2型（SARS-CoV-2）导致的新型冠状病毒肺炎（COVID-19）首次于中国武汉被报道。此次疫情迅速升级为全球大流行，截至目前已波及各大洲的至少185个国家和地区。巴西圣保罗市报告的首例COVID-19确诊病例出现于2月26日。数日后，巴西16个州共182例疑似病例进入监测流程。截至5月30日，巴西全国26个州及联邦特区累计确诊514849例新冠病例，死亡29314例。遏制SARS-CoV-2传播的核心防控措施为社交隔离。彼时诊断试剂供应不足，无法检出全部感染者，相关疫情数据存在显著的漏报情况。不过，该措施的有效性很大程度上依赖于民众的社会责任意识。与其他国家类似，此项防控举措造成了严重的经济与社会负面影响。本综述基于巴西本土数据库展开分析——该国的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。