First known COVID-19 case and contact tracing efforts in İstanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Background/aim: COVID-19 has now become a global pandemic. Understanding the routes of transmission is vital in the mitigation and suppression of the disease. Istanbul has become one of the disease's epicenters. This study aims to describe the first COVID-19 case and contact tracing efforts around it in Istanbul. Materials and Methods:The descriptive study was conducted in Istanbul, Turkey. First and associated COVID-19 cases were investigated with contact tracing and described primary and secondary cases. Results:The source case was an individual who returned to Turkey from international travel at the beginning of March and tested PCR (-). The index case is the brother of the source case and is considered the first PCR (+) case diagnosed in Istanbul. Contact tracing revealed 23 PCR (+) cases, 14 of which resulted in hospitalization and three deaths. Conclusions:This study described cases of the first COVID-19 cluster in Istanbul. Also, contact tracing was used in this first cluster. This contributed to contact tracing algorithms in Turkey.

Resiliensi Kebijakan Politik Pemerintah Turki Terhadap Wabah Internasional Coronavirus Disease 19

“…Tak heran apabila Istanbul dijuluki sebagai dijuluki sebagai bandara tersibuk dunia. Bandara di Istanbul mampu menampung sebanyak 200.000 penumpang pada setiap harinya menjadikan Istanbul sebagai tempat arus masuknya pandemi COVID-19 (Güner et al, 2021). Bulan Februari, dimana terjadi peningkatan kasus secara terus menerus, membuat EOC mulai bekerja 24/7 dengan staf teknisi yang menangani bidang utama seperti pengawasan, logistik, persyaratan IHR, dan komunikasi (World Health Organization.…”

“…Pasien lain yang pernah melakukan kontak dengan pasien yang positif, tenaga medis langsung melakukan kontrol di setiap harinya selama 14 hari sampai ditemukan gejala yang muncul dan disarankan untuk mengisolasi diri. Hasil data mengenai kasus dari pasien yang dinyatakan positif dikirim ke Direktorat Kesehatan Masyarakat setempat dan dokter umum untuk diberikan fasilitas pelacakan kontak selanjutnya (Güner et al, 2021).…”

Edukasi Kesehatan: Covid-19 Dan Penelusuran Kontak

“…(Kementerian Kesehatan RI, 2021). Pelacakan kontak telah terbukti penting dalam mengurangi dan menekan epidemi (Güner et al, 2021).…”

“…Pekerjaan peserta paling banyak sebagai staff/wiraswasta sebanyak 44 (89,7%) peserta, sedangkan tenaga Kesehatan dan satpam hanya 1 (2%) peserta dan pendeta 3 (6.1%) peserta. (Güner et al, 2021).…”

Evaluating the efficiency of public policy measures against COVID-19

“…The strict contact tracing strategy of Turkey is a good example of this. For instance, with this method, early detection of 23 PCR(+) cases, 14 of which required hospitalization was made possible (24). For this purpose, the use of artificial intelligence and computer technologies will provide data that will contribute significantly (25, 26).…”