CHARACTERISTICS OF CLINICAL AND RT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 AT FIELD HOSPITAL No 3 AT HO CHI MINH CITY

Abstract

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) declared severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Ho Chi Minh City was the locality with the highest number of cases and deaths, experiencing the largest outbreak in the country in 2021. During the COVID-19 outbreak, field hospitals were established to isolate patients, monitor severe cases, and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. Since field hospitals were not fully equipped with intensive care facilities, timely detection of severe cases, continuous monitoring, and prompt transfer to hospitals became essential. Additionally, during widespread outbreaks, monitoring the progression of SARS-CoV-2 viral load was crucial in determining the appropriate time for patient discharge.

Objective: 1) Describe clinical and epidemiological characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 concentration characteristics of the clinical and PCR SARS-CoV-2 of in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. 2) Describe the relationship between clinical and epidemiological characteristics, SARS-CoV-2 concentration clinical and PCR SAR-CoV-2 with severe conditions of the disease.

Methods: Retrospective cross-sectional study 503 patients included in the study.

Results: The male/female ratio was 1:1, and the mean age was 38.4 ± 6.9 years. 87.7% of the cases were mild disease condition, moderate disease condition took up 6.8% and 5.5% were severe. Ct0 is was 21 ± 4.6; Ct7 is was 27.9 ± 4.3; Ct14 is was 31.3 ± 2.9. The factors associated with severe conditions of the disease: age ≥ 50 (OR = 10.1; 95% CI: 2.8 - 35.8; p <0.001), female gender (OR = 3.9; 95% CI: 1.2 - 12.3; p = 0.022), and having an underlying condition

(OR = 3.5; 95% CI: 1.1 – 11.5; p = 0.035).

Conclusion: Special monitoring is required for older COVID-19 patients, those with underlying medical conditions, female patients, and those with low Ct0 PCR results. Further research is necessary to consider discharging patients when the RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) for SARS-CoV-2 is greater than 30, rather than waiting for a negative result.

Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; RT-PCR; field hospital