Patient delay in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in Tianjin, China from January to February 2020

BACKGROUND: Patient delay of COVID-19 patients occurs frequently, which poses a challenge to the overall epidemic situation. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the extent of patient delay, explore its factors, and investigate the effects of patient interval on epidemic situation. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 136 COVID-19 patients in Tianjin, China. Factors associated with patient delay were explored using logistic regression models. The relationship was investigated by spearman correlation analysis and mean absolute error between patient interval of lagging days and epidemic situation. RESULTS: The factors associated with patient delay of COVID-19 patients were mainly the imported cases, the first presentation to a tertiary hospital, close contacts and spatial accessibility to fever clinic. The longer the patient intervals of lagging days, the greater the number of new-onset and confirmed cases in 3–4 and 5–7 days after the first day symptoms, respectively. CONCLUSION: Identification and quarantine of close contacts, promoting the spatial accessibility to fever clinics and creating public awareness are crucial to shortening patient delays to flat the curve for COVID-19.