Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 in Daegu, South Korea

Highlights • Among 694 inpatients with COVID-19, 137 patients were classified as severe cases. • No severe case was observed among patients aged ≤ 19 years • Asymptomatic patients accounted for 14.4% of cases. • The first outbreak was mostly associated with younger age groups • The number of severe patients and mortality rate were high in the second outbreak
Objectives The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak simultaneously occurred at a church and a long-term care facility in Daegu. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 and factors related to severe outcomes. Methods We enrolled all inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 between February 21 and April 2, 2020 in Daegu Dongsan Hospital, South Korea. We analyzed their clinical and demographic data, laboratory parameters, radiological findings, symptoms, and treatment outcomes. Results Of 694 patients, severe cases accounted for 19.7% (137 patients). No severe case was observed among patients aged ≤19 years. Hypertension was the most common co-morbidity (27%), and cough was the most common symptom (59%). Besides, asymptomatic patients accounted for 14.4% of cases. Lymphopenia, lactate dehydrogenase, C-reactive protein, and albumin were associated with severe outcomes. The first outbreak was mostly associated with younger age groups, and asymptomatic patients mostly showed mild progression. In the second outbreak involving a long-term care facility, both the number of severe patients and the mortality rate were high. Conclusions The overall mortality in Daegu was low, which might have resulted from large scale mass screening to detect patients and starting appropriate treatment, including hospitalization for severe cases, and quarantine for asymptomatic patients.