TY - JOUR AU - Chailek, Chanatip AU - Taweewigyakarn, Pantila AU - Yimchoho, Nirandorn AU - Saritapirak, Nipapan AU - Namwat, Chawetsan AU - Sawanpanyalert, Narumol PY - 2021/04/08/ TI - Epidemiological Characteristics and Medical Visits of the First 58 COVID-19 Deaths, January–June 2020, Thailand JF - OSIR Journal; Volume <font color=#0000cc> 14</font> Issue<font color=#0000cc> 1</font> (<font color=#0000cc>2021</font>): Outbreak, Surveillance, Investigation & Response (OSIR) Journal KW - N2 - During the first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic in Thailand, 3 Jan to 22 Jun 2020, there were 3,151 confirmed cases and 58 related deaths. This study aimed to describe epidemiological characteristics of the deaths and explore risk factors using a retrospective cohort study design. A COVID-19 related death was defined as a confirmed COVID-19 case who died from a clinically compatible illness. We collected data from investigation reports and medical records using a semi-structure questionnaire and retrieved secondary data from the Department of Disease Control’s database. Of the 58 deaths, the median age was 58 years (interquartile range (IQR) 50-70), 44 were male, and underlying disease was found in 44, hypertension being the most common. The median time from onset to diagnosis date was 7 days (IQR 5-9) compared to 4 days (IQR 2-7) in recovered cases. Six were nosocomial infections and of the remaining 52, 36 had visited a medical facility at least once before they were hospitalized. Male, elderly, and delayed diagnosis were found to be positively associated with death. Early detection of COVID-19 cases should be strengthened in health care facilities throughout Thailand. Keywords: male, elderly, aged, COVID-19, delayed diagnosis, risk factors, Thailand UR - http://www.osirjournal.net/index.php/osir/article/view?path=