Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection during the COVID-19 Second Wave in Chitral, Pakistan

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of COVID-19 during the second wave in Chitral, Pakistan.
Study Design: Cross sectional prevalence study.
Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted in Health Department of Agha Khan Health Service
st th (AKHS) Chitral from 1 September 2020 to 31 March 2021.
Material and Methods: This data has been collected from Agha Khan Health Service (AKHS) of Chitral during
the second wave. The positive cases reported were tested using PCR. A prevalence-based study was conducted
to analyze the severity of COVID-19 in Chitral during second wave. A total of 2315 suspected symptomatic
individuals consented for whole blood samples and nasal swabs for viral antigen detection by PCR. RNA
extraction was performed using EMAG (BIOMERIUX, France). Real-time reverse-transcription PCR was
performed to detect the viral load.
Results: The second wave of COVID-19 in Chitral district did not cause any serious harm because of the
vaccination and public awareness about the infection and social distancing. Overall, 15% of the population was
tested positive and the peak was in months of November and December 2020. The higher rate of positivity
(69%) was shown in upper rural areas of Chitral district, KP province, Pakistan More than 70% of population got
vaccinated by March 2021 that is the highest number of vaccinated people in a city in Pakistan.
Conclusion: Our prevalence based data analysis indicate that the second wave of Corona virus hit the country
but had limited effects in Chitral, possibly due to proper practice of preventive measures and awareness among
the citizens including social distancing, good hygienic care and timely vaccination. Most of the cases reported
during second wave were in the month of November/December 2020.

How to cite this: Rizwan M, Naz T, Khan MB, Kang AS, Khan A, Khan T, Ali L. Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Infection during the COVID-19 Second Wave in Chitral, Pakistan. Life and Science. 2022; 3(3): 99-104. doi: http://doi.org/10.37185/LnS.1.1.240