Risk of adverse outcomes with COVID-19 in the Republic of Ireland

AimsTo compare the risk of adverse outcomes (i.e. hospital/intensive care admission, death) in population sub-groups during two periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Ireland. MethodsWe analysed routinely-collected, publicly-available data on 67,900 people with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 infection between 29th Feb to 14th Nov 2020. This period encompassed two waves of infection and two corresponding national lockdowns. For two observational periods covering each wave (W1, W2), each ending 17-19 days before implementation of high-level national restrictions, we segmented the population based on age and underlying clinical conditions. ResultsThe prevalence of laboratory confirmed COVID-19 was 1.4%. The risk of admission to hospital, admission to intensive care, and death was 7.2%, 0.9%, and 2.5%, respectively. Compared to younger confirmed cases, those aged [≥]65 y had increased risk of hospital admission (RR 5.61), ICU admission (RR 3.56), and death (RR 60.8). W2 was associated with more cases and fewer adverse events than W1. The risk of all adverse outcomes was reduced in W2 than in W1. ConclusionsOngoing responses should consider the variation in risk of adverse outcomes between specific sub-groups. These findings indicate the need to sustain the prevention, identification and management of noncommunicable diseases to reduce the burden of COVID-19.