Características y desenlaces clínicos de pacientes con COVID-19 en la primera ola en Cali, Colombia

INTRODUCTION: In December 2019, the first cases of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia were reported across the world. In Colombia, the first case of COVID-19 was reported on the 6th of March, 2020, and was imported from Italy. Subsequently the transmission of the virus increased exponentially, and extensively affected some regions including the cities of Cali and Buenaventura. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 in 2 health institutions/hospitals located in Cali, Colombia. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using electronic clinical records of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were admitted to different healthcare settings in the city of Cali between the 23rd of March and the 31st of August, 2020. RESULTS: A total of 2428 patients with symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 were treated in 2 health institutions in the city of Cali, Colombia. The average age recorded for the patients was 60 years, and the most common comorbidities included arterial hypertension, diabetes, and chronic pulmonary disease. Of the 1247 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection, 44.19% required hospitalization in the ward; 12.91% were transferred to the Intensive Care Unit, and 42.9% were treated on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the mortality rate in hospitals was 22.94%. The outcome of this study suggests that males with COVID-19, who are over the age of 60 years, and who have 2 or more underlying comorbidities have a strong predictive value for more severe symptoms, mortality and a qSOFA with a cut-off point > 1.