Key Summary Points Aim To study the association between atypical presentation of COVID-19, frailty and adverse outcomes, as well as the incidence of atypical presentation. Findings In this study, an atypical presentation of COVID-19 was significantly associated with frailty. However, patients with an atypical presentation of COVID-19 did not have worse disease outcomes. Message Physicians need to remain alert for COVID-19 in frail older patients, as they may present without typical complaints. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41999-022-00736-z.