An observational study to determine the clinical course of asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19–positive patients admitted to a tertiary care centre in Puducherry

Abstract

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus2 (SARSCoV2) disease (COVID-19) has spread nationwide including union territory of Puducherry. Methods: Consecutive asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 patients admitted to the COVID-19 ward were included in the study. Demographic details, following of social norms, contact-exposure history, presence of co-morbidities, vital parameters, clinical symptoms and signs, development of new symptoms, progression and outcome of study patients are reported. Results: Six hundred and forty two patients were included for final analysis. Most of symptomatic patients did not use face mask (87%) and did not follow social distancing (84.1%) or hand hygiene (91.3%). Out of mildly symptomatic patients, 12 become moderately or severely symptomatic and were shifted to intensive care unit. All these patients were male, aged more than 50 years with co-morbidities. Conclusions: Wearing face mask, social distancing and hand hygiene can decrease disease severity. Male patients with co-morbidities and old age are at higher risk of progression to moderate or severe COVID-19 infection.

Keywords

• co-morbidity
• covid-19
• face mask
• hand sanitisers
• male patients
• social distancing