Characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia: Review of six-months of data (March–August 2020)

BACKGROUND: This study presents the demographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Saudi Arabia (KSA). It identifies the important predictors of the disease prognosis. METHODS: The study reviewed and analysed a sample of 307,010 confirmed symptomatic COVID-19 cases, between March and August 2020, available in the health electronic surveillance system (HESN) of the Ministry of Health of KSA. Descriptive and univariate analyses were conducted. RESULTS: The overall estimated prevalence of symptomatic COVID-19 cases in KSA between March and August 2020 was 6.1% . The estimated incidence proportion was 879.7 per 100,000 population. The overall case fatality ratio was 2.0%. Males represented 63.9% , with a mean age of 35.1 ± 16.6 years. Young adults (16–39 years) were the most affected ages (53.3%). Fever (90.5%) with a mean body temperature of 37.4 ± 2.0 Celsius, cough (90%), and sore throat (77.4%) were the most prevalent symptoms. A history of contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case was reported in 98.8% of patients. Males (2.1%) and elderly cases aged 65–99 years (25.6%) had the highest association with mortality (p < .001). Among the clinical characteristics investigated, low oxygen saturation (SpO(2) ≤ 93%) had the highest association with hospital admission (50.8%) and mortality (19.1%) (p < .001). Cases with cardiovascular diseases (28.6%) and malignancy (28%) demonstrated the highest associations with mortality compared to other underlying diseases (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: In KSA, the prevalent symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, cough, and sore throat. Makkah and Almadinah regions are significantly associated with highest burden of mortality. The low level of oxygen saturation, high fever, old age, and underlying cardiovascular disease are the most important predictors for prognosis.