Clinical and Epidemiological Features of Death with COVID-19 in Karnali Province of Nepal

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread to many countries and increased mortality worldwide. Most deaths were either elderly or have underlying medical problems and even relatively young individuals have died from COVID-19. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 related deaths in Karnali Province, Nepal. Materials and Methods: We studied COVID-19 deaths from 19 May 2020 to 25 December 2020. Information from all districts of Karnali Province were included in this study. Demographic characteristics and geographic distribution map of the death toll in each district over time was analyzed. Quantum GIS(QGIS) 3.16.2 version was used to plot the deaths on maps and IBM SPSS Statistics 25 to perform statistical analysis Results: As of December 25, 2020, a total of 25 deaths were reported. Mean age of death was 52 (SD 20.99) years. Most of the deaths were distributed in age group of 50 years and above. Additionally, the male to female ratio was 5:2. A total of 56% of the deaths in Karnali were with underlying diseases and was more pronounced among males. Most of the cases were centralized in Surkhet district with highest death rate in Birendranagar municipality. Conclusion: COVID-19 poses a greater threat to the elderly people with more devastating effects, particularly in the presence of underlying diseases. The geographical distributions show that the epidemic in the Surkhet district is more serious than that in the surrounding districts. Case investigation, Contract tracing and dedicated ICU ventilator service for critical cases are essential for response of Pandemic.