Clinical Features and Outcomes of 98 PatientsHospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Daegu,South Korea: A Brief Descriptive Study

ABSTRACT

Although some information on the epidemiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and a few selectedcases has been reported, data on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients hospitalized therewith in South Koreaare lacking. We conducted a retrospective single-center study of 98 consecutive hospitalized patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2infection at Yeungnam University Medical Center in Daegu, South Korea. Sixty patients were women (61.2%), and the mean agewas 55.4±17.1 years. Thirteen patients (13.3%) were treated in the intensive care unit (ICU). The mean interval from symptom onsetto hospitalization was 7.7±4.5 days. Patients who received ICU care were significantly older and were more likely to have diabetesmellitus. The National Early Warning Score on the day of admission was significantly higher in patients requiring ICU care. Acuterespiratory distress syndrome (13/13 patients; 100%), septic shock (9/13; 69.2%), acute cardiac injury (9/13; 69.2%), and acute kidneyinjury (8/13; 61.5%) were more common in patients who received ICU care. All patients received antibiotic therapy, and most(97/98 patients; 99.0%) received antiviral therapy (lopinavir/ritonavir). Hydroxychloroquine was used in 79 patients (80.6%), andglucocorticoid therapy was used in 18 patients (18.4%). In complete blood counts, lymphopenia was the most common finding(40/98 patients; 40.8%). Levels of all proinflammatory cytokines were significantly higher in ICU patients. As of March 29, 2020, themortality rate was 5.1%. Here, we report the clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of SARS-CoV-2 patients in South Koreaup to March 29, 2020.