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

Ramos, W.; Arrasco, J.; De La Cruz-Vargas, J. A.; Ordonez, L.; Vargas, M.; Seclen, Y.; Luna, M.; Guerrero, N.; Medina, J.; Sandoval, I.; Solis, E.; Loayza, M.

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.