COVID-19 case management: The policy model in Morocco context

Abstract Background Based on the updated scientific evidence around SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic, health policymakers had to consider that many decisions could enhance or limit the success of the overall COVID-19 control strategy. The purpose of this study is to share alternative COVID-19 case management based on the updated international knowledge. Methods This study presents the main information about COVID-19 case management in Morocco from March to October 2020. The NVivo qualitative model content analysis was used to compare and prioritize health decisions with updated scientific evidence. Results The lack of molecular diagnostic accuracy using the interpretation of cycles quantification values, was targeted only by allowing all private laboratories to do RT qPCR. However, there is an urgent need for standardisation with accurate molecular SARS-CoV-2 thermocyclers and kits that notify systematic cycles quantification and do more tests per days to control the spread effectively. A predictive tree of the cycle’s range is presented following three steps: 1) the initial clinical definition, 2) the molecular confirmation, 3) and the diagnostic follows up results of the RT qPCR up to 28 days after the onset. At the same time, the seasonal vaccination against influenza and pneumonia could help to reduce COVID-19 deaths. Conclusions Until an available SARS-CoV-2 specific vaccine and/or curative effective treatment, updated control strategy in Morocco and similar context countries require to target population living in highly COVID-19 epidemic cities or areas by mass testing with the right interpretation of PCR values changes, associated to seasonal vaccination to foster the immunity.