Data from: Estimating transmission dynamics and serial interval of the first wave of COVID-19 infections under different control measures: A statistical analysis in Tunisia from February 29 to May 5, 2020

Background: Describing transmission dynamics of the outbreak and impact of
intervention measures are critical to planning responses to future
outbreaks and providing timely information to guide policy makers
decision. We estimate serial interval (SI) and temporal reproduction
number (Rt) of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia. Methods: We collected data of
investigations and contact tracing between March 1, 2020 and May 5, 2020
as well as illness onset data during the period February 29-May 5, 2020
from National Observatory of New and Emerging Diseases of Tunisia. Maximum
likelihood (ML) approach is used to estimate dynamics of Rt. Results: 491
of infector-infectee pairs were involved, with 14.46% reported
pre-symptomatic transmission. SI follows Gamma distribution with mean 5.30
days [95% CI 4.66-5.95] and standard deviation 0.26 [95% CI 0.23-0.30].
Also, we estimated large changes in Rt in response to the combined
lockdown interventions. The Rt moves from 3.18 [95% CI 2.73-3.69] to 1.77
[95% CI 1.49-2.08] with curfew prevention measure, and under the epidemic
threshold (0.89 [95% CI 0.84-0.94]) by national lockdown measure.
Conclusions: Overall, our findings highlight contribution of interventions
to interrupt transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in Tunisia.