COVID-19 in Southeast Asia

Abstract

Background: The emerging disease COVID-19 was first identified in China in late 2019. It soon spread to most countries and continents. The symptoms of this disease range from asymptomatic to severe and fatal. This disease is now an important pandemic and has created an emergency in the world. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Southeast Asia. Methods: This ecological study describes the epidemiological features of COVID-19 in southeastern Asia. Data related to identified definite cases and deaths due to this disease along with other information were extracted from the reports of the World Health Organization and imported to SPSS software. The case fatality rate was calculated separately for each country. Results: The highest number of reported cases of this disease was 30,458,251 in India, and the highest number of death was in this country with 400,312 cases, and the highest mortality rate was in Indonesia with 2.67%. Conclusions: Using masks and observing social distance and quarantine rules, as well as upgrading diagnostic and laboratory equipment to identify patients, are effective ways to prevent COVID-19 transmission.