Lethality and characteristics of deaths due to COVID-19 in Rondonia: an observational study

Objective: To describe the characteristics of deaths due to COVID-19 in the state of Rondonia. Methods: This was a descriptive study, with data from the Brazilian National Health System Epidemiological Surveillance System Computerization Strategy (E-SUS-VE, notified between January 1 and August 20, 2020. Statistical tests (Chi-square and Marascuilo procedure) were applied, where differences were considered to he significant when p< 0.05. Results: 184,146 suspected cases were reported, of which 49,804 were confirmed as COVID-19, and 1,020 died (lethality 2.1%). Statistically significant differences were observed between age groups and lethality (p-value <0.001); lethality was greater as age increased (Marascuilo procedure, significant in the comparison between the over 60s and the other age groups); death was higher among males (2.7% lethality); and lethality was higher among Black people (3.0%). Conclusion: Lethality was greater among the elderly, males and people of brown and black skin color in Rondonia.