ABSTRACT
Objective : In this study, we have assessed the hematological characteristics of the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of laboratory parameters in predicting cases with positive RT-PCR for COVID19. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study that included 32 RTPCR +ve and 64 RTPCR -ve cases over a period of 5 weeks. The blood samples were collected from symptomatic patients who presented to cough OPD. On the day of swab sampling, blood sampling was done for each participant. All tests were performed in an appropriate autoanalyzer after complying with internal quality control. Results: The mean CT value of RT-PCR test was found to be 22.7, while mean PCT value was 0.3 ng/ml. The mean ferritin value came out to be 133.5 ng/ml and mean D-dimer values calculated to be just 1.3 mg/L. The mean LDH and CRP levels were 340.4 IU/L and 12.6 mg/L respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for procalcitonin analysis among these patients were 97% with CI (93.8-100) followed by serum ferritin with 82%, CI (70-94) and CRP levels were having just 77.3%, CI (61.2-93.4). Conclusion: In the current study, the AUC of procalcitonin and serum ferritin were above 0.80;thus, they are effective and have very good predictive value for predicting COVID-19. It seems that these blood laboratory parameters could be used in screening cases with positive RT-PCR for COVID-19. However, serum LDH, D Dimer, and vitamin D levels or liver function tests, renal function tests remain insignificantly linked with covid positivity rate in this study.