TY - JOUR AU - Hamzullah Khan , Mohammad Zahid Khan , Mian Muhammad Naveed, PY - 2020/06/26 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - COVID-19: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nowshera: COVID-19 JF - Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College JA - JRMC VL - 24 IS - 2 SE - Articles DO - 10.37939/jrmc.v24i2.1376 UR - https://journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/1376 SP - AB - <p><strong>Objective</strong>: To determine the frequency of COVID-19 and characteristics of patients presenting to the COVID-19 clinic at Qazi Hussain Ahmed Medical Complex (QHAMC) Nowshera.</p><p><strong>Methodology:</strong> This cross-sectional study was conducted from 21<sup>st</sup> Feb 2019 to April 8, 2020, in QHAMC Nowshera. Relevant information was collected on a pre-designed Performa prepared following the objectives of the study.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 220 patients, 165(75%) were males, and 55(25%) females. 96(43.6%) of the patients were in the age range 18-30 years followed by 52(23.6%) in age range 31-45years and 17(7.7%) with age&gt;60 years etc. Out of total the nasopharyngeal swabs of 26(11.6%) strong suspects were sent for PCR testing. 208(94.5%) were sent home while 12(5.5%) were advised quarantine. Forty-seven (21.4%) had a travel history to an epidemic area in the last 14 days. 51(23.2%) had a positive history of contact. Eighty-five (38.6%) had a fever and sore throat followed by 27(12.3%) with (fever &amp; cough), 24(10.9%) with (cough and shortness of breath/dyspnea) and 14(6.4%) with a simple flue, etc. Out of 26 cases, 6(2.7%) were COVID-19 Positive, 12(5.5%) were negative and results of 8(3.6%) were still awaited. The PCR repeated the test for confirmed cases showed;&nbsp; 4(1.8%) negative, one died and one was refractory positive.&nbsp; A positive correlation (<em>p=0.03, r=0.4)</em> of an increase in age with the severity of the disease/outcome was recorded.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: T</strong>he frequency of infectivity with COVID-19 was 2.6%. A higher number of patients with mild symptoms attend the COVID clinic. The rate of infection and mortality was higher in age&gt; 60 years.</p> ER -