Pandemic in between waves: Epidemiological & clinical findings from a single COVID-19 screening centre of Madhya Pradesh, India

Aim - The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological & clinical characteristics of patients attending covid-19 screening centre in-between the first & second wave. The study period falls between receding first wave to beginning of second wave. Materials and method - The medical records and data from screening area of Government Medical Collage Datia, with confirmed Covid-19 cases, as reported between 1st October 2020 to 8th February 2021, were collected. Covid-19 symptoms were diagnosed on the basis of the WHO interim guidelines. A confirmed case of Covid-19 was defined as a positive result on real-time RAT assay of nasal swab. The RAT were performed by Standard Q Covid-19 Ag by SD BIOSENSOR. The procedure for collecting nasal swabs entails swabbing at least three times separately using a nylon-flocked swab. The entire procedure was in strict accordance with the standard protocol. Epidemiological data of all the patients with clinical findings and positivity rate was recorded in detail. Result - In our study, the total number of patients tested was 4427 of which 1987 were males & 2440 were females. Out of 1987 male suspects, 211 tested positive whereas out of 2440 female suspects, 64 tested positive.&nbsp