What Is Severe COVID Really Like?

As of the 11th of August, there have been 357 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital in NSW, with 60 people admitted to ICU. As the Delta outbreak continues, it’s important to understand what severe COVID-19 is actually like.

1) Lung damage: in patients with severe COVID-19, lung tissue is attacked, leading to cell death and lung inflammation. In severe cases this results in pneumonia or fluid build-up in the lungs that makes it very difficult to breathe. Approximately 25-30% of hospitalised COVID-19 patients develop worsening respiratory failure, and will need a ventilator.

2) Neurological issues: around 80% of hospitalised COVID-19 patients have some neurological condition, including loss of smell, acute encephalopathy, coma, and stroke.

3) Blood clots: 10-40% of ICU COVID-19 patients develop blood clots which lodge in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or legs (deep vein thrombosis). Unless the clot is removed, the tissue below will die from lack of oxygen.

4) Heart conditions: heart complications such as increased heartrate, chest pain, palpitations, heart failure and cardiac arrest also occur with severe COVID-19. Patients with a history of heart failure are at much higher risk, and are more likely to need ventilation or a longer ICU stay as a result.

Unfortunately, when more people are admitted to ICU and hospital resources begin to run out, the chance of death for severe COVID-19 patients increases significantly. This is why it is critical that we follow public health orders, stay COVID safe, and get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Sove CPAP Clinic is a leading Australian provider of Respiratory, Sleep Disorders, Cardiology and PPE services and products. Based in Sydney, it has a network of 40 clinics nationwide.