Epidemiological Characteristics and Medical Visits of the First 58 COVID-19 Deaths, January–June 2020, Thailand

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Chanatip Chailek Pantila Taweewigyakarn Nirandorn Yimchoho Nipapan Saritapirak Chawetsan Namwat Narumol Sawanpanyalert

Abstract

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


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CHAILEK, Chanatip et al. Epidemiological Characteristics and Medical Visits of the First 58 COVID-19 Deaths, January–June 2020, Thailand. OSIR Journal, [S.l.], v. 14, n. 1, apr. 2021. ISSN 2651-1061. Available at: <http://www.osirjournal.net/index.php/osir/article/view/245>. Date accessed: 28 mar. 2024.
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