Epidemiologic Features and Clinical Course of COVID-19: a Retrospective Analysis of 19 Patients in Germany

Background Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease-19 (CoVID-19). The virus has exhibited unprecedented human to human transmission and progressed into a pandemic over a short duration. Aim To report the epidemiology; clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics; and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 19 patients in Germany. Methods Retrospective analysis of 19 patients contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by PCR in Germany between March 1, 2020 and March 31, 2020. Results In 19 PCR-confirmed SARS-Cov-2 virus infection (median age 69 years; 12 (63%) males), the most common presentations were Fever (79%), cough (79%), fatigue (79%), and dyspnea (42%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (47%), hypothyroidism (32%), and cardiac diseases (32%). According to chest X-ray, 15 (79%) of patients had abnormal chest X-rays; of these, 13 had bilateral chest infiltrates and two had unilateral infiltrates. Lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein (CRP) were elevated in all patients at baseline investigations; 343 U/L (169-931 U/L) and 8 mg/dL (1-17 mg/dL), respectively. Of the 19 cases, 13 (68.4%) recovered and discharged, 9 (47.3%) needed ICU admission, and 4 (21.1%) cases died. Conclusion Among the 19 patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2, mild respiratory tract infections symptoms were frequently reported. Some patients required supplemental oxygen and had variable clinical outcomes following supportive and antibiotic treatments. These findings may contribute to the development of more effective strategies of infection control.