Characteristics of COVID-19 patients admitted into two hospitals in sapporo, Japan: Analyses and insights from two outbreak waves.

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) emerged in January 2020 in Sapporo city, and the outbreak has shown two peaks.

METHODS

A total of 260 COVID-19 patients were enrolled and categorized into three groups according to the pandemic pattern, jobs and situation, and disease severity. We compared clinical characteristics according to these categories.

RESULTS

We found two pandemic peaks, and the proportion of patients and health providers who were infected in other hospitals had increased in the latter two periods (period 2: 49.6%, period 3: 32.7%). Particularly, the proportion of infected health providers was 27% in period 2, and they tended to be younger females with a mild condition. Severity of the disease (requirement of oxygen and/or mechanical ventilation) was associated with advanced age, and all the patients who died during admission were over 60 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

We reported the temporal dynamics and characteristics of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sapporo city, Japan. This survey from the viewpoint of the hospital provides a new insight into and a better guide for the further management of the COVID-19 pandemic.