Characteristics and early outcomes of patients hospitalised for COVID-19 in North Zealand, Denmark

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic associated with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide Limited data are available describing the clinical presentation and outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Europe METHODS: This was a single-centre retrospective chart review of all patients with COVID-19 admitted to the North Zealand Hospital in Denmark between 1 March and 4 May 2020 Main outcomes include major therapeutic interventions during hospitalisation, such as invasive mechanical ventilation, as well as death RESULTS: A total of 115 patients were included, including four infants The median age of adults was 68 years and 40% were female At admission, 55 (50%) patients had a fever, 29 (26%) had a respiratory rate exceeding 24 breaths/minute, and 78 (70%) received supplemental oxygen The prevalence of co-infection was 13% Twenty patients (18%) (median age: 64 years;15% female) were treated in the intensive care unit Twelve (10 4%) received invasive mechanical ventilation and three (2 6%) renal replacement therapy Nine patients (8%) developed pulmonary embolism Sixteen patients (14%) died Among patients requiring mechanical ventilation (n = 12), seven (6 1%) were discharged alive, four (3 4%) died and one (0 9%) was still hospitalised CONCLUSION: In this cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients, mortality was lower than in other Danish and European case series FUNDING: none TRIAL REGISTRATION: not relevant