Estimating the Real Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Kazakhstan: Factors Associated with Detection of the “True Infections”

Antonio Sarria-Santamera, Nurlan Abdukadyrov, Usman Abubakar Haruna, Natalya Glushkova, Yuliya Semenova, Zhandos Salpynov, Paolo Colet, Zaule Zhumambayeva

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing worldwide, and various case and death numbers are being reported to track its spread. However, the number of actual cases is uncertain due to under-reporting. Using mortality data as a more reliable indicator, this study in Kazakhstan evaluated the extent of under-reporting and under-detection of COVID-19 cases from March 2020 to September 2022 using back-casting and capture-recapture methods. The results indicate that official case reporting in Kazakhstan significantly underestimates the number of infections by at least 50%. The study also suggests that improved testing capabilities may have led to a decrease in the percentage of unreported cases, however, early in the pandemic, Kazakhstan faced significant testing shortages. The study presents a mathematical model based on mortality data that highlights the severe under-reporting of COVID-19 cases in Kazakhstan and argues that understanding the true estimate of actual cases could aid in making informed decisions to end the pandemic.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
PublisherSpringer
Pages373-384
Number of pages12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
Externally publishedYes

Publication series

NameAdvances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
Volume1457
ISSN (Print)0065-2598
ISSN (Electronic)2214-8019

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Estimate
  • Kazakhstan
  • Pandemic
  • True infections
  • Under-reporting

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry,Genetics and Molecular Biology

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