Hygeia Public Health 2021, 56(1): 31-36pl

Morbidity and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 in the Silesian Voivodship during the second wave of infections in 2020

Małgorzata Kowalska ^1/, Ewa Niewiadomska ^2/

1/ Katedra i Zakład Epidemiologii, Wydział Nauk Medycznych, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
2/ Katedra Epidemiologii i Biostatystyki, Wydział Nauk o Zdrowiu, Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Bytomiu

Summary
Introduction. The assessment of the number of hospitalized and dead patients due to COVID-19 during the second wave of SARS-CoV-2 infections in 2020 gives the ability to track the epidemiological situation and sound public entities to prepare for future hazards.
Aim. Assessment of the temporal and spatial variability of in-hospital morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 in the Silesian Voivodship, during the second wave of the epidemic, autumn 2020.
Material and methods. Secondary epidemiological data available in the regional registry of the Silesian Voivodship Office in Katowice were analysed. The temporal and regional variability of morbidity and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 in the Silesian Voivodship was observed between the 1st of October to the 31st of December 2020 (the second wave).
Results. During the autumn period, a sharp increase in the number of people hospitalized due to COVID-19 was recorded, and mortality also increased, reaching a value similar to that recorded in March (24.8 and 24.3%, respectively). The highest number of deaths still occurred in older patients (65+) with comorbidities (mainly chronic cardiovascular or respiratory diseases). As in the previous period, both, the number of patients and the number of deaths due to COVID-19 revealed territorial variability in the Silesian Voivodship.
Conclusions. The epidemiological situation of COVID-19 during the second wave of 2020 in the Silesian Voivodship was characterized by a sharp increase in the number of hospitalized patients with increased in-hospital mortality. The largest number of deaths concerned older people (65+) with recognized comorbidities. Old age and comorbidities are important prognostic factors for the risk of death. Both, the number of hospitalizations and the number of deaths in patients with COVID-19 show significant spatial variability in the region of Silesia.

Key words:  COVID-19, morbidity, in-hospitalized mortality, the second wave of infections