Introduction The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had resulted in an unpresented global pandemic. In the initial events, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia implemented mandatory quarantine of returning travelers in order to contain COVID-19 cases. Materials and methods This is a longitudinal study of the arriving travelers to Quarantine facilities and the prevalence of positive SARS-CoV-2 as detected by RT-PCR. Results During the study period, there was a total of 1928 returning travelers with 1273 (66%) males. The age range was 28 days–69 years. Of all the travelers, 23 (1.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Of the first swab, 14/1928 (0.7%) tested positive. The positivity rate was 0.63% and 0.92% among males and females, respectively (P = 0.57). The second swab was positive in 9 (0.5%) of the other 1914 who were initially negative with a positivity rate of 0.39% and 0.62% among males and females, respectively (P = 0.49). There was no statistical difference in the positivity rates between first and second swab (P = 0.4). Of all travelers, 40 (n = 26, 1.3%) were admitted from the quarantine facility to the hospital due to COVID-19 related positive results or development of symptoms such as fever, cough, and respiratory symptoms; and 14 (0.7%) were admitted due to non-COVID-19 related illness. Conclusion This study showed the efforts put for facility quarantine and that such activity yielded a lower incidence of positive cases. There was a need to have a backup healthcare facility to accommodate those developing a medical need for evaluation and admission for non-COVID-19 related illnesses.

Introduction The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had caused an increased burden on healthcare organizations. Thus, a new strategy is needed to ensure all COVID-19 positive cases are followed up appropriately, receive the proper medical and psychological support, and comply with the isolation guidelines. Here, we describe the characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 patients who were managed at home. In addition, we describe the differences between asymptomatic and those with mild symptoms. Materials and Methods This is descriptive study of all COVID-19 positive cases who were monitored utilizing the home care concept. Results During the study period from June 8 to October 18, 2020, there were a total of 5368 COVID-19 patients who were referred to the home isolation/monitoring program. Of those, 2397 (45%) were female and 2971 (55%) were male. Of the total cases, 295 (5%) required hospital admission, 45 (1%) were admitted to zone 2, and the majority 5028 (94%) were continued in the home monitoring till recovery. Of the total cases, 3137 (59%) were asymptomatic and the remaining 41% were symptomatic. Asymptomatic patients in comparison to symptomatic patients showed significant differences in relation to age, gender, being healthcare workers, and the presence of significant medical conditions. However, a logistic regression analysis showed that only age and the presence of diabetes mellitus were associated with the presence of symptoms. The mean age ( + SD) of those who required hospital admission was higher than those who were discharged or cared for in zone 2. Conclusion The utilization of home monitoring program was effective and safe in patients who were either asymptomatic or had mild symptoms.

Background: COVID-19 has rapidly progressed to a pandemic causing a severe burden on healthcare systems worldwide. It has proven to be a serious threat to certain populations such as elderly and chronically ill people. In this study we aim to determine risk factors contributing and affecting COVID-19 severity and deterioration during the course of illness. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study for all hospitalized patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 from March to July 2020.Results: A total of 639 patients were included in this study. The majority were Saudi patients (87.3%). 465 (76%) were symptomatic with abnormal x-ray imaging diagnosis (56.2%). Predetermined clinical risk factors were obesity (46.3%), hypertension (42.3%), diabetes mellitus (41.8%), dyslipidemia (39%), Ischemic heart disease (13.2%), chronic lung disease (11%), chronic kidney disease (10.3%), cancer (7.9%), congestive heart failure (6.1%), and immunocompromised patients (4.6%). It was also found that chest x-ray finding upon diagnosis, and presentation of symptoms had a significant impact on the pattern of deterioration.Conclusion: This study found that elderly and chronically ill patients are at higher risk for more severe COVID-19 infection and risk of deterioration, hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and probably death when compared to younger and healthier patients.

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