PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Mawlood, Nagham A.
AU  - Lafta, Riyadh K.
TI  - Trends in COVID-19
AID  - 10.15537/smj.2022.43.5.20220088
DP  - 2022 May 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 500--507
VI  - 43
IP  - 5
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/43/5/500.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/43/5/500.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2022 May 01; 43
AB  - Objectives: To detect the epidemiological trend of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Iraq, the distribution of cases by age, gender, and governorates, and to assess its burden on the health system by estimating morbidity and mortality rates.Methods: This biometric study was carried out in 2021. The distribution, incidence, mortality, and case fatality rates in a 17-month period was sketched in a biometric design. A semi-structured questionnaire was distributed to a number of decision makers in the Ministry of Health regarding health system challenges that have been faced during this pandemic.Results: More than half (55.1%) of the cases were among males, and 67.5% were in the age group 30-60 years. Mortality was also predominant among males (62.7%), and 50.0% of the deaths were in the age group >50 years. The predominant age group for both genders was 30-60 years. Case fatality rate was 1.2%; again higher among males (1.3% versus 1.1%).Conclusion: The trend of COVID-19 in Iraq showed 2 peaks, August-October 2020 and March-July 2021, with males being more affected by morbidity, mortality, and fatality. The main challenge faced by the Iraqi health system was the rapid increase of COVID-19 cases with limited bed capacity and medical equipment.