The Trend of Referrals and Identification of Covid-19 Patients in Selected Comprehensive Health Service Centers of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

The process of identifying Covid 19 cases over time (the trend) can provide valuable information about the coverage of diagnostic and screening programs over time. This study aimed to investigate the outpatient trend of Covid-19 in selected comprehensive health service centers of Tehran University of Meical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The data collected inculded the number of referalls and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-positive individuals between April 13 and December 25, 2020. Central and dispersion indices (mean, median, standard deviation and interquartile range) were used to describe quantitative variables. In addition, linear and bar charts were used to describe the trend of the variables over time. All analyses were performed using the Excel 2016 and SPSS 22 software.

The highest numbers of suspected cases of Covid-19 were found to be in April, June and October. There were 2 peaks in the trend of positive cases of Covid 19, and the highest proportions of daily positive cases of Covid 19 was seen in late June and early July, as well as in late September, October, and December. The highest numbers of individuals referred and tested were observed in the South of Tehran Health Center.

Considering the occurrence  of two epidemic peaks during the study period, the occurrence  of further epidemic peaks is almost certain to occur if there is no proper planning for public health services and primary health care by the responsible health authorities and policy-makers.