Objective:

To characterize clinically, epidemiologically and virologically the first outbreak of covid-19, from the primary case in Medellín (Colombia), through surveillance and epidemiological control carried out for its containment.

Methodology:

Retrospective descriptive study. Secondary cases are identified taking into account the definition of the protocol of the National Institute of Health. Data collection was obtained of the Public Health Surveillance System, research epidemiological field, medical history and results of laboratory. Clinical patterns of the disease (signs and symptoms), epidemiological components (transmission surveillance and control actions) and virological (with the use of the diagnostic test for sars-CoV-2 and the evaluation of virological recovery). The confirmation of the cases was done by the diagnostic detection technique of Wuhan coronavirus 2019 by reverse transcription polymerase Chain Reaction - Real Time, Charité protocol, Berlin, Germany 2020, processed in and reported by the National Laboratory of Reference of the National Institute of Health.

Results:

The Medellín's primary case entered the country on March 2, 2020, from Madrid (Spain) and was confirmed on March 9. 52 close contacts were identified in 9 clusters. The surveillance actions in public health made it possible to identify 5 related cases in an early phase of the disease.

Conclusions:

The characterization of the primary case in Medellín seek to identify the first outbreak of covid-19 and guide the epidemiological control measures, such as isolations, intakes of samples, follow-up contacts and case searches secondary.

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