Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Epidemiological Evolution and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the European Union and Worldwide and Effects of Control Strategies on Them: A Descriptive Study

Version 1 : Received: 21 September 2023 / Approved: 21 September 2023 / Online: 22 September 2023 (07:41:10 CEST)

How to cite: Caylà, J. A.; Bellmunt, J. M.; Jansà, J. M.; Marco, A.; Millet, J.-P. Epidemiological Evolution and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the European Union and Worldwide and Effects of Control Strategies on Them: A Descriptive Study. Preprints 2023, 2023091529. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1529.v1 Caylà, J. A.; Bellmunt, J. M.; Jansà, J. M.; Marco, A.; Millet, J.-P. Epidemiological Evolution and Economic Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the European Union and Worldwide and Effects of Control Strategies on Them: A Descriptive Study. Preprints 2023, 2023091529. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202309.1529.v1

Abstract

We evaluated epidemiological evolution and economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic in the European Union (EU) and worldwide, and the effects of control strategies on them. We collected incidence, mortality, and gross domestic product (GDP) data between the first quarter of 2020 and of 2023. Then, we reviewed the effectiveness of the mitigation and zero-COVID control strategies. The statistical analysis was done calculating the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of two rates and its 95% confidence interval (CI). In the EU, COVID-19 presented six epidemic waves. The sixth one at the beginning of 2022 was the biggest. Globally, the biggest wave occurred at the beginning of 2023. Highest mortality rates were observed in the EU during 2020-2021 and globally at the beginning of 2021. In mitigation countries, mortality was much higher than in zero-COVID countries (IRR= 6.82; CI:6.14-7.60; p<0.001). A GDP reduction was observed worldwide, except in Asia. None of the eight zero-COVID countries presented a GDP growth percentage lower than the EU percentage in 2020, and 3/8 in 2022 (p=0.054). COVID-19 pandemic caused epidemic waves with high mortality rates and a negative impact on GDP. The zero-COVID strategy was more effective in avoiding mortality and potentially had less impact on GDP.

Keywords

COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; mitigation strategy; Zero-COVID strategy; prevention; control; gross domestic product; evaluation

Subject

Public Health and Healthcare, Health Policy and Services

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