Tracing the Origin and Early Progression of COVID-19 in Europe: An Epidemiological Descriptive Study

The ongoing global health crisis caused by the infectious coronavirus disease, known as COVID-19, is attributed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The pandemic has significantly impacted people of all ages and nationalities and has spread across all continents, with an initial focus on Asia and subsequently reaching Europe. The objective of this study was to analyze the progression of COVID-19 in Europe in contrast to other continents around the world by examining the pandemic's trajectory across different geographic areas, allowing us to gain insights into the effectiveness of containment measures, and identifying potential patterns of virus spread.

The data source was a curated dataset provided by Our World in Data (OWD), regularly updated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The dataset consisted of 207,316 records with 67 attributes, covering 244 locations, including countries from six continents. These attributes encompassed a wide range of COVID-19-related metrics, such as cases, deaths, testing, vaccinations, and demographic indicators. This comprehensive comparative study specifically focused on the European continent data from January 01, 2020, to August 08, 2022.

The analysis revealed distinct groups of European countries with different experiences with the virus. First, some countries were found to be severely affected by the virus, grappling with higher case numbers and mortality rates. On the other hand, some countries were able to successfully manage the virus spread. Additionally, there was a group with significant case numbers but relatively lower mortality rates. Finally, certain countries effectively limited the virus transmission while maintaining low mortality rates.

As the pandemic continues, it is essential to emphasize the significance of international data to develop comprehensive strategies against severe health crises. Evaluating different outcomes across continents and within specific regions could provide crucial insights to guide future control measures. However, the fight against COVID-19 is far from over, necessitating ongoing research and cooperation on a global scale.