Clinical characteristics and outcome of patients presenting to emergency department during the second wave of COVID-19

BACKGROUND: COVID 19 resurgence in multiple waves and the highly infectious variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.617) has wreaked havoc across healthcare systems in India. We conducted a study to delineate the clinico-epidemiological profile of COVID-19 patients in this second wave of the pandemic. METHODS: This was a retrospective, single centre, observational study at the Emergency Department(ED) of a teaching institute in North India. The ED health records were screened for patient files with the diagnosis of COVID -19, age > 14 years, presenting from 10th April to 30th of May. ED clinical notes, disposition, and mortality data were retrieved and analysed. RESULTS: 1647 files were screened and 253 eligible patients of COVID-19 were included in the study. 60% patients were male, mean age (+ SD) was 54 (+ 14.8 years). Shortness of breath (74.7%), fever (71.9%), cough (57.7%) were the common presenting symptoms. 20% of patients were nil comorbid; Diabetes (44.7%) and Hypertension (41.5%) were the common comorbid illnesses. 73.1% patients had severe COVID illness, 39.9% had oxygen saturation <90% on arrival and 33.2% had <70%. More than 90% patients required respiratory support on arrival. 25% of people presented to hospital after home isolation, of which 81% had severe COVID at presentation. 39 % patients of mild illness had received corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: The second wave of COVID-19 with rapid upsurge of cases overwhelmed the healthcare system with a higher proportion of severe COVID-19 cases and higher mortality, thus stressing the need for prior planning, preparation and strengthening healthcare systems across tiers.