Localising an asset-based COVID-19 response in Ecuador

Torres, Irene; Sacoto, Fernando

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(20)30851-5

Cited by 54 publications

(53 citation statements)

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“…It is important to empathize that the figures reported rely on national government statistics, nevertheless, is critical to understand that testing capabilities are widely reduced in some countries in the region. Without adequate mechanisms of efficiently testing as much population as possible, contact tracing strategies, and effective isolation of suspected cases becomes a real challenge [29].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interim Analysis of Pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Latin America and the Caribbean: Morbidity, Mortality and Molecular Testing Trends in the Region

Simbaña-Rivera

2020

Preprint

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Background:The relentless advance of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic has resulted in a significant burden on countries, regardless of their socio-economic conditions. The virus has infected more than 2.5 million people worldwide, causing to date more than 150,000 deaths in over 210 countries. Objective:The aim of this study was to describe the trends in cases, tests and deaths related to novel coronavirus disease in Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries. Methodology:Data were retrieved from the WHO-Coronavirus Disease (COVID-2019) situation reports and the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) databases from Johns Hopkins University. Descriptive statistics including death rates, cumulative mortality and incidence rates, as well as testing rates per population at risk were performed. A comparison analysis among countries with ≥50 confirmed cases was performed from February 26 th , 2020 to April 8 th , 2020. Results:Brazil had the greatest number of cases and deaths in the region. Panama experienced a rapid increase in the number of confirmed cases with Trinidad and Tobago, Bolivia and Honduras having the highest case fatality rates. Panama and Chile conducted more tests per million inhabitants and more tests per day per million inhabitants, followed by Uruguay and El Salvador. Dominican Republic, Bolivia, Ecuador and Brazil had the highest positive test rates. Conclusions:The COVID-19 disease pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has progressed rapidly in LAC countries. Some countries have been affected more severely than others, with some adopting similar disease control methods to help slow down the spread of the virus. With limited testing and other resources, social distancing is needed to help alleviate the strain on already stretched health systems.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interim Analysis of Pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Latin America and the Caribbean: Morbidity, Mortality and Molecular Testing Trends in the Region

Simbaña-Rivera

2020

Preprint

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“…Although cases of this emerging disease will likely overwhelm health systems worldwide [10], transmission prevention is particularly important for the Global South, specially most of sub-Saharan Africa [11,12] and Latin America [13,14], where health systems were already under significant strain before the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 [15]. Ecuador's healthcare system has been among the hardest hit [16,17], with more COVID-19 cases per capita than nearly any other country in the Global South [18] and one of the highest rates of mortality in Latin America [19]. SARS-CoV-2 transmission prevention strategies include low-cost, high-impact behaviors such as hand hygiene, face mask use, and social contact avoidance [20].…”

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confidence: 99%

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards COVID-19 Among Ecuadorians During the Outbreak: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

et al. 2020

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Preventing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (causative agent for COVID-19) requires implementing contact and respiratory precautions. Modifying human behavior is challenging and requires understanding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) regarding health threats. This study explored KAPs among people in Ecuador. A cross-sectional, internet-based questionnaire was used to assess knowledge about COVID-19, attitudes toward ability to control COVID-19, self-reported practices related to COVID-19, and demographics. A total of 2399 individuals participated. Participants had moderate to high levels of knowledge. Participants expressed mixed attitudes about the eventual control of COVID-19 in Ecuador. Participants reported high levels of adoption of preventive practices. Binomial regression analysis suggests unemployed individuals, househusbands/housewives, or manual laborers, as well as those with an elementary school education, have lower levels of knowledge. Women, people over 50 years of age, and those with higher levels of schooling were the most optimistic. Men, individuals 18-29, single, and unemployed people took the riskiest behaviors. Generally, knowledge was not associated with optimism or with practices. Our findings indicate knowledge about COVID-19 is insufficient to prompt behavioral change among Ecuadorians. Since current COVID-19 control campaigns seek to educate the public, these efforts' impacts are likely to be limited. Given attitudes determine people's actions, further investigation into the factors underlying the lack of confidence in the ability of the world, and of Ecuador, to overcome COVID-19, is warranted. Edu-communicational campaigns should be accompanied by efforts to provide economically disadvantaged populations resources to facilitate adherence to recommendations to prevent the spread of the virus.

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“…The proportion of individuals with no access to sewerage in the country is 26% [19]. Ecuador, where the government is largely unpopular and where there is a significant lack of high complexity healthcare services, with insufficient numbers of ICU beds, mechanical ventilators and intensivists [49], also faces problems related to inequality and poverty and has been highlighted as the country where control measures were implemented in the most unequal manner and where monitoring the disease in vulnerable populations such as indigenous peoples and Venezuelan migrants has proved difficult [52].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Covid-19 in Latin America countries: Course of the pandemic and the different responses towards control

Pescarini

Silveira

Souza-Filho

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: The emergence of COVID-19 in Latin America occurred within a troubled political, economic and social context, with growing trends of poverty and social inequality challenging already overburdened and underfinanced local healthcare systems. In the absence of a vaccine or of any treatment for COVID-19, public health measures such as social distancing had to be adopted. The objective of this paper is to describe the course of the COVID-19 pandemic in Latin American countries and to summarize the social distancing measures implemented in each one of these countries, discussing the changes that took place in the social mobility of the populations and their potential effects on the course of the epidemic up to June 2020. Results: Brazil has the highest cumulative number of cases and deaths; however, cumulative incidence rates are higher in Peru and Chile, while the highest cumulative mortality rates are in Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. Some countries implemented social distancing measures before the first case was registered, culminating in lockdown in eight countries before detection of the 100th case. The measures that appear to have had the greatest impact in reducing mobility include, in addition to lockdown, the closure of schools and prohibition of events. In general, the countries that implemented social distancing measures earlier and where the reduction in social mobility was greatest also recorded lower incidence and mortality rates. Brazil and Mexico failed to adopt lockdown and the number of cases of the disease continues to grow. Conclusions: As occurred in other continents, control of the COVID-19 pandemic was better in countries that were faster in adopting more restrictive measures. Nevertheless, this equation does not appear to guarantee a positive outcome in all settings, possibly due to the considerable social inequalities and chronic deficiencies of the healthcare systems, with the scenario being even more complex in view of the recurring political crises and the negationist view of some national leaders. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread in Latin America and exposes these contradictions. Further studies are required to gain a greater understanding and generate lessons on how to manage such a complex crisis.

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Localising an asset-based COVID-19 response in Ecuador

Cited by 54 publications

References 1 publication

Interim Analysis of Pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Latin America and the Caribbean: Morbidity, Mortality and Molecular Testing Trends in the Region

Interim Analysis of Pandemic Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the SARS-CoV-2 virus in Latin America and the Caribbean: Morbidity, Mortality and Molecular Testing Trends in the Region

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards COVID-19 Among Ecuadorians During the Outbreak: An Online Cross-Sectional Survey

Covid-19 in Latin America countries: Course of the pandemic and the different responses towards control

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