Clinical, Biochemical, and Radiological Characteristics of the First Cluster of Covid‑19 Cases in Benghazi, Libya: Case Series

Abstract

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 were discovered during the 7th and 8th of April 2020. The clinical, biological, and radiological characteristics 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