Epidemiological Characteristics of 64 Covid-19 Patients in Errachidia Province (Darâa-Tafilalet region), Morocco: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND: At the time of writing this paper, no available data for the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of African patients with COVID-19. Herein, we profiled retrospectively the epidemiological characteristics (clinical, laboratory, radiological, treatment, and clinical outcomes) of 64 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Regional Hospital Center (RHC) of Errachidia, in Morocco. The aim of this study was to analyze the epidemiological characteristics and laboratory Findings of Covid-19 patients in Errachidia Province, Morocco. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-center study included all COVID-19 confirmed patients (died or discharged) hospitalized in the Regional Center of Errachidia, Morocco between March 20, 2020 and May 23, 2020. Patients were confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and epidemiological, demographic, clinical, laboratory, treatment, and outcomes of patients were extracted manually from patient's medical records. RESULTS: In a total of 64 patients with COVID-19, 60.9 % of patients were men, with a mean age of 41.5 years (SD 18.62). At the admission, most patients were asymptomatic 38 (59.4%), and 58 (90.6%) were clinically classified as being at benign state. Chronic illnesses were the most comorbidities observed including diabetes with 8 cases (12.5%), hypertension 3 cases (4.7%), and hyperlipidemia 1 patient (1.6%). The main symptoms were cough 15 (23.4%), fever 10 (15.6), diarrhea 8 (12.5%), headache 5 (7.8%), and sore throat 5 (7.8%). Only 7 patients (10.9%) had lung lesions and lymphopenia was present in only 7 patients (11.1%). The median duration of viral shedding was 14.5 days (9-22). Concerning deceased cases, they were elderly subjects aged 69.75 years and they have presented dyspnea, breathing problems, and respiratory distress as specific symptoms. In addition, an increase of the medians of serum AST, CRP, and glucose levels was noticed in this group. During hospitalization, they presented acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and they were transferred to intensive care before they died. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that covid-19 infection often appeared in a benign form in the studied population (90.6% in this study). This finding may incriminate the implication of some protective parameters such as genetic, nutritional or other factors in Moroccan population.