Clinical Insights into SARS-COV-2 Infection in Rural Rajasthan, India

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to highlight the primary endpoint of death and to understand the clinical and
epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 infection in the rural community of Chittorgarh, Rajasthan,
India.
Method: This was a retrospective, observational study of COVID-19 patients from March to June 2020 that
collected and analysed epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and radiological data.
Results: In 353 patients, COVID-19 affected all age groups, mainly those aged 16–49 years, followed by
those aged 50–64 years; 82.43% were male; 68% of infected patients were asymptomatic at presentation
and were incidentally positive on contact tracing. Among symptomatic cases, fever (88%) was the most
common symptom; of 14 severe COVID-19 patients with pneumonia, 8 died. Leukopenia, lymphopenia,
thrombocytopenia, and abnormal liver function tests were common lab findings. Thirty patients had
radiographic evidence of pneumonia. The most common complications were acute respiratory distress
syndrome, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and kidney injury. The case fatality rate was 0.02%, and
the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score>6 was a surrogate marker for admittance to the intensive
care unit.
Conclusion: Low case fatality rate and SOFA score surrogate for ICU admittance