Mortality and associated factors among hospitalised COVID-19 patients in Lira regional referral hospital, a cross-sectional study

The study revealed a high in-hospital mortality rate of 29% among COVID-19 patients admitted to the CTU at LRRH, primarily driven by severe disease presentation and limited access to critical interventions such as oxygen therapy. Independent predictors of survival included younger age, normal oxygen saturation, absence of chronic liver disease and normal body temperature at admission. These findings underscore the urgent need for early identification of high-risk patients and improved access to supportive care, particularly oxygen delivery systems, to reduce mortality in future outbreaks. Strengthening diagnostic capacity, clinical monitoring and preparedness for respiratory pandemics-alongside prospective studies capturing broader patient data-will be essential to refine response strategies and improve outcomes.