Negative SARS-COV-2 clinical autopsies during COVID-19 mandatory isolation

Autopsias clínicas SARS-COV-2 negativas durante el aislamiento obligatorio por COVID-19

Introduction: non- COVID-19 deaths were registered during the mandatory isolation period in the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia. A preventive isolation of 162 days, beginning March 24, 2020, was implemented in the country, during which clinical autopsies were restricted. Objective: to show our experience on non- COVID-19 deaths, in two institutions in Bogotá. Methods: a case series report in two high-complexity hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia, during the mandatory lockdown period. SARS-COV-2 infection was ruled out by standardized tests in autopsy studies. Medical records were examined, collecting clinical variables, and determining the cause of death. Results: there was a higher prevalence of females in the included 101 autopsies. The most common population were fetuses with no physical abnormalities. The predominant cause of death among adults, was death of cardiac origin. Cases of pneumonia, central nervous system diseases, hypovolemic shock, acute pancreatitis, abdominal sepsis and hydro electrolytic disorders, were registered. Conclusions: many people died during the COVID-19 pandemic, but not all deaths were attributable to the virus. Fear of seeking medical care, and the uncertainty about coronavirus transmission during the pandemic, impacted negatively on chronic diseases healthcare adherence and prenatal check-ups.