According to a study by researchers from Colombia University, and two affiliated NewYork-Presbyterian Hospitals in Manhattan reviewed electronic medical records and lab and radiographic findings of COVID-19 patients in respiratory failure, 257 (22%) of 1, 150 coronavirus adult patients hospitalized in the New York from March 2 through April 1, 2020, were critically ill and 101 (39%) of them died.

This study, yesterday, published in The Lancet shows the most common symptoms of the 257 patients included shortness of breath, fever, cough, muscle pain, and diarrhea. Median time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 5 days; black, Hispanic, and Latino patients sought care later in their illness than white patients. Ninety-four (37%) of the patients were still hospitalized as of Apr 28. The median observation period after hospitalization was 19 days. 

Fifty-nine (62%) were Hispanic or Latino, and 13 (5%) were healthcare personnel. Of the total number, 82% had one or more underlying illness, the most common of which were high blood pressure 162 (63%) and diabetes 92 (36%); 119 (46%) were obese, including 39 (71%) of 55 patients younger than 50 years.

Of the 257 patients, 203 patients (79%) required mechanical ventilation for a median of 18 days, 170 (66%) received vasopressors for low blood pressure, and 79 (31%) needed dialysis. 

The median time to clinical deterioration after hospitalization was 3 days. Using the multivariable Cox model, the authors determined that advanced age, chronic heart disease, chronic lung disease, and elevated levels of inflammatory marker interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the blood clot indicator D-dimer were independently associated with in-hospital death.

The median age was 62 years, and 171 of 257 (67%) were men.

The vast majority of patients (229 of 257 [89%] received antibiotics, and 208 (81%) were prescribed antiviral drugs: 185 (72%) were given hydroxychloroquine, and 23 (9%) received remdesivir. Sixty-eight (26%) patients received corticosteroids, and 44 (17%) were given IL-6 receptor antagonists for inflammation.

DETAILS:

This study, yesterday, published in The Lancet shows the most common symptoms of the 257 patients included shortness of breath, fever, cough, muscle pain, and diarrhea. Median time from symptom onset to hospitalization was 5 days; black, Hispanic, and Latino patients sought care later in their illness than white patients. Ninety-four (37%) of the patients were still hospitalized as of Apr 28. The median observation period after hospitalization was 19 days.

Anyone else see how that could contribute to the higher death rate among those minority groups?

This is among the best studies I have seen for covid19.