PLoS ONE (Jan 2020)

Characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in New York City's public hospital system.

  • Roopa Kalyanaraman Marcello,
  • Johanna Dolle,
  • Sheila Grami,
  • Richard Adule,
  • Zeyu Li,
  • Kathleen Tatem,
  • Chinyere Anyaogu,
  • Stephen Apfelroth,
  • Raji Ayinla,
  • Noella Boma,
  • Terence Brady,
  • Braulio F Cosme-Thormann,
  • Roseann Costarella,
  • Kenra Ford,
  • Kecia Gaither,
  • Jessica Jacobson,
  • Marc Kanter,
  • Stuart Kessler,
  • Ross B Kristal,
  • Joseph J Lieber,
  • Vikramjit Mukherjee,
  • Vincent Rizzo,
  • Madden Rowell,
  • David Stevens,
  • Elana Sydney,
  • Andrew Wallach,
  • Dave A Chokshi,
  • Nichola Davis,
  • New York City Health + Hospitals COVID-19 Population Health Data Team

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0243027
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 12
p. e0243027

Abstract

Read online

BackgroundNew York City (NYC) bore the greatest burden of COVID-19 in the United States early in the pandemic. In this case series, we describe characteristics and outcomes of racially and ethnically diverse patients tested for and hospitalized with COVID-19 in New York City's public hospital system.MethodsWe reviewed the electronic health records of all patients who received a SARS-CoV-2 test between March 5 and April 9, 2020, with follow up through April 16, 2020. The primary outcomes were a positive test, hospitalization, and death. Demographics and comorbidities were also assessed.Results22254 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2. 13442 (61%) were positive; among those, the median age was 52.7 years (interquartile range [IQR] 39.5-64.5), 7481 (56%) were male, 3518 (26%) were Black, and 4593 (34%) were Hispanic. Nearly half (4669, 46%) had at least one chronic disease (27% diabetes, 30% hypertension, and 21% cardiovascular disease). Of those testing positive, 6248 (46%) were hospitalized. The median age was 61.6 years (IQR 49.7-72.9); 3851 (62%) were male, 1950 (31%) were Black, and 2102 (34%) were Hispanic. More than half (3269, 53%) had at least one chronic disease (33% diabetes, 37% hypertension, 24% cardiovascular disease, 11% chronic kidney disease). 1724 (28%) hospitalized patients died. The median age was 71.0 years (IQR 60.0, 80.9); 1087 (63%) were male, 506 (29%) were Black, and 528 (31%) were Hispanic. Chronic diseases were common (35% diabetes, 37% hypertension, 28% cardiovascular disease, 15% chronic kidney disease). Male sex, older age, diabetes, cardiac history, and chronic kidney disease were significantly associated with testing positive, hospitalization, and death. Racial/ethnic disparities were observed across all outcomes.Conclusions and relevanceThis is the largest and most racially/ethnically diverse case series of patients tested and hospitalized for COVID-19 in New York City to date. Our findings highlight disparities in outcomes that can inform prevention and testing recommendations.