Profile and outcomes of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 at a tertiary institution hospital in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: In high-income countries, mortality related to hospitalized patients with the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is approximately 4-5%. However, data on COVID-19 admissions from sub-Saharan Africa are scanty. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical profile and determinants of outcomes of patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted at a hospital in Ghana. METHODS: A prospective study involving 25 patients with real time polymerase chain reaction confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the treatment centre of the University Hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana from 1st June to 27th July, 2020. They were managed and followed up for outcomes. Data were analysed descriptively, and predictors of mortality assessed using a multivariate logistic regression modelling. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 59.3 ± 20.6 years, and 14 (56%) were males. The main symptoms at presentation were breathlessness (68%) followed by fever (56%). The cases were categorized as mild (6), moderate (6), severe (10) and critical (3). Hypertension was the commonest comorbidity present in 72% of patients. Medications used in patient management included dexamethasone (68%), azithromycin (96%), and hydroxychloroquine (4%). Five of 25 cases died (Case fatality ratio 20%). Increasing age and high systolic blood pressure were associated with mortality. CONCLUSION: Case fatality in this sample of hospitalized COVID-19 patients was high. Thorough clinical assessment, severity stratification, aggressive management of underlying co-morbidities and standardized protocols incountry might improve outcomes. FUNDING: None declared.

Fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana: a report from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi.

The corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has stretched the resources of health facilities but there is a lack of context-specific reports across Africa. Since February, 2020, the university hospital, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), a district-level institution, has been at the forefront in contributing to efforts in Ghana to fight the global pandemic. As of 16th August, 2020, 1755 individual samples have been taken at the hospital for COVID-19 out of which 629 (35.8%) tested positive, 414 (65.9%) recoveries and 6 (0.95%) deaths. The hospital's out-patient attendance has reduced by almost 50% with attendant loss of revenue. Here in, we present a report on our activities, highlight lessons and recommendations that other health facilities can glean from.