Epidemiological characteristics of deaths from COVID-19: an analysis at almost three months of the first confirmed case in Peru

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of deaths from COVID-19 in Peru from March 28 to May 21, 2020, 85 days after the report of the first confirmed case. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Case series type study. Deaths from various sources were investigated, including the COVID-19 Epidemiological Surveillance and the National System of Deaths. Deaths that met the definition of a confirmed case and had a positive (reactive) result of RT-PCR or rapid test were considered for the analysis. From these sources, epidemiological variables were obtained and a time analysis was performed, defining as the pre-hospital time the time from the onset of symptoms to the date of hospitalization and hospital time from the date of hospitalization to the date of death. RESULTS: 3,244 confirmed deaths were included in the study. Deaths were more frequent in males (71.8%), elders (68.3%), residents of the department of Lima (41.8%), and others from the coast (37.7%). In 81.3% of cases, the death occurred in a public hospital, 16.0% died at home, shelter, penitentiary institution, public highway, or in transit to a hospital, and 31.1% had some comorbidity. Statistical difference was observed in pre-hospital time according to age group (p <0.001) and gender (p = 0.037), being significantly higher in adults, elders, and women. There was a statistically significant difference in hospital time according to geographic area, showing a significantly shorter time in the departments of the coast (p <0.001) and Andean region (p = 0.014) compared to Lima. The cases that were seen in private clinics (p = 0.001) survived longer than those seen in public hospitals. CONCLUSION: Deaths from COVID-19 occur mainly in male, elders, on the coast, with considerable deaths at home, in shelters, penitentiaries, public roads, or in transit to a hospital. Pre-hospital time is affected by age group and gender; while, hospital time is also influenced by the region of origin and the health care provider. KEYWORDS: Coronavirus, COVID-19, deaths, epidemiology, Peru.

Hospitalization, death, and probable reinfection in Peruvian healthcare workers infected with SARS-CoV-2: a national retrospective cohort study

“…The greatest risk of probable reinfection was found in those who worked in public establishments of the MINSA/GORE, PNP/FFAA, as well as in those who worked outside the capital, particularly in establishments in the Amazon and the Andean region; a higher risk was also documented in those who had direct contact with COVID-19 cases in their workplace. It is possible that the greater limitations existing in the establishments of the MINSA/GORE, PNP/FAA and outside the capital of Peru, have contributed to the reinfection of healthcare workers during the pandemic's greatest activity, moments in which there have been documented deficit of personal protective equipment, as well as a greater exposure to COVID-19 due to the overwhelming patient demand 17,35,[39][40][41] .…”