Determination of COVID-19 prevalence with regards to age range of patients referring to the hospitals located in western Tehran, Iran

We decided to examine suspected samples of pneumonia outbreak caused by the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and provide information about the mortality rate due to this infection in different age groups in Iran. In this descriptive-cross-sectional study, a total of 784 samples of naso/oropharyngeal swabs of suspected patients with COVID-19 symptoms who had referred to Imam Khomeini, Shahid Fayaz-Bakhsh and Modarres hospitals in Tehran from February 24, 2020 to March 24, 2020 were examined by RT-PCR method. The highest incidence of the disease was within the age group of 50–59 years, while the lowest rate was in the 0–9 years age group. The highest rate of positive samples in terms of COVID-19 among suspected individuals was for patients >80 years of age (89%) and the highest mortality rate was in the age range of 70–79 years (31%) and >80 years (30), respectively. In terms of recovery, the highest rate was in the 30–39 years age group (65.2%). Statistical analysis showed that mortality significantly increased in the age group of >60 years old and in fact, mortality was significantly associated with older ages. According to the results of the current study, the prevalence of COVID-19 in lower age (0–9 years old) is lower and mortality rate is higher in older ages as significant increase in mortality was observed in those aged >60 years old. However, further epidemiological studies on a larger study population in different regions of Iran are needed to explain the prevalence, clinical features, and course of the disease. •The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (SARS-CoV) pandemic in 2002-2003 followed by Middle East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-COV) in 2012 indicates that some of these CoVs are threatening to human health•The risk of developing a severe diseaseg radually increases with age from about 40 years•mortality was significantly associated with older ages•In this study the prevalence of COVID-19 in lower age (0-9 years old) is lower and mortality rate is higher in older ages as significant increase in mortality was observed in those aged >60 years old.