Clinical, biochemical, and radiological characteristics of the first cluster of Covid-19 cases in Benghazi, Libya: Case series
Rafik R Elmehdawi1, Rashad S Jaweesh2, Agela A Elbadri3, Mohamad H Zue3, Fadwa F Elsoor4, Ahmed B Elhaddad1, Fathia S Belkasem1
1 Department of Medicine, Benghazi Medical Center; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi, Libya 2 Department of Biomedical Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Libyan International Medical University, Benghazi, Libya 3 Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi; Department of Medicine, Alhawari General Hospital, Benghazi, Libya 4 Department of Medicine, Alhawari General Hospital, Benghazi, Libya
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Rafik R Elmehdawi Department of Medicine, Benghazi Medical Center, Benghazi; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Benghazi, Benghazi Libya
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
DOI: 10.4103/LJMS.LJMS_73_20
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The 1st confirmed Covid-19 case in Libya was reported from Tripoli on March 25, 2020. However, as of May 21, 2020, Libya has 69 confirmed cases, which is a very small number of cases in comparison to the rest of the world. This report describes the 1st cluster of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Benghazi, Libya, which was discovered during the 7th and 8th of April 2020. The clinical, biological, and radiological characterestics of a cluster of four cases (primary case and three secondary cases) were described in this report. Among the four confirmed cases, two were asymptomatic, one symptomatic and one presymptomatic. The transmission rate in this cluster was three, and the secondary attack rate among the household contacts was 37.5%. None of the four cases was severe and all of them recovered without complications. this preliminary experience is in concordance with the reports from the other parts of the world.
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