A comparative analysis of the first and second COVID-19 wave in Italy: evaluation of mortality in the Infectious Disease Unit of Genoa University Hospital

New Microbiol. 2021 Oct;44(4):245-247.

Abstract

This retrospective study describes demographics and outcomes of adult patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to our ward during the first wave (from February 25 to May 30, 2020) and during the second wave (from August 5 to November 30, 2020). The primary study objective was to evaluate overall in-hospital mortality, which was 21.1% (60/285) vs 10.3% (27/261) (p=.0006). This study seems to corroborate and expand the concept that the second wave of COVID-19 was less deadly than the first. Despite some limitations, the clinical and managerial experience gained during the first wave trained us to handle and control the second one.

Keywords: COVID-19; first and second wave; mortality.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19*
  • Communicable Diseases*
  • Hospitals
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2