COVID-19 Severity and Clinical Outcomes Among 200 Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study from Two Tertiary Care Centers in Nangarhar, Afghanistan

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents with a wide spectrum of clinical severity, from mild illness to critical disease and death. Understanding local severity patterns and outcomes is essential for improving patient management in resource-limited settings.

Objective: To describe the severity distribution, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of COVID-19 among hospitalized patients in two tertiary care centers in Nangarhar province.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 200 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to Nangarhar University Teaching Hospital and the COVID-19 Center of Nangarhar Regional Hospital. Disease severity was classified as mild, moderate, severe, or critical according to WHO criteria. Demographic data, clinical features, oxygen requirement, and outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Among 200 patients, 62% were male, with a mean age of 51.3±16.4 years. Severe and critical disease occurred in 38% of patients. Overall mortality was 11.5%, significantly higher among patients with critical illness and those requiring high-flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion: A substantial proportion of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Nangarhar presented with severe or critical disease, associated with increased mortality. Early severity assessment and timely escalation of care are essential to improve outcomes.