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Background and Objectives: Omicron, a variant of SARS COV2, is looming large as a cause of global concern. Its high transmissibility can pose challenges in healthcare allocation in a highly populous country like India. Studying the behaviour of the virus among the Indian population will definitely help in planning for the impending omicron surge, so we conducted a preliminary analysis of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the suspected omicron cases in the early part of the surge. Methodology: The study was conducted in the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, from 17th December 2021 to 11th January 2022. A total number of 159 consecutive patients ≥18 years of age with the S gene target failure were enrolled and clinically followed up during hospitalisation. Results: Nearly half (n = 79, 49.7%) were aged between 18 and 30 years and the mean (SD) age of the patients was 35.1 (14.9); 52.8% (n = 84) were males and 54.7% (n = 87) were healthcare workers. The NLR ratio and CRP were raised in unvaccinated individuals. Out of 159 patients, only 4 patients required oxygen and all the others showed a mild course of illness and there was no mortality. Conclusion: The clinical course of suspected omicron patients was mild in those who were vaccinated. Unvaccinated individuals with comorbid illness need to be closely monitored for prompt referral for acute care. Further studies are needed in the high-risk group with omicron.
RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide public health crisis. During huge surge in COVID-19 cases, most of the patient arrived at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai were severe due to late presentation and also available evidence demonstrating that the delay in treatment is directly associated with increased mortality or poor patient outcome. As an innovative concept of Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward were set up to provide the required critical care for all severe COVID-19 cases. The experience of setting up of such Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward and profile of admitted COVID-19 patients were described in this paper. METHODS: A total of 4515 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted at Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward was analyzed retrospectively from 7th July to 31st December 2020. RESULTS: At the time of admission the frequency of dyspnea were 85.6% among them 99.1% recovered from dyspnea after the oxygen therapy and other management at Zero Delay COVID-19 Ward. Of the 4515 COVID-19 individuals, about 1829 (40.5%) had comorbidity, 227 (5%) had died. Multivariable logistic regression analysis, COVID-19 death was more likely to be associated with comorbidity (OR: 18.687; 95% CI: 11.229-31.1) than other variables. CONCLUSIONS: Comorbidity is an independent high risk factor for mortality of COVID-19 patients. From our observation, it is strongly recommended that effective zero delay covid-19 ward model will help for the prevention of mortality in current/expected waves of COVID-19.