Data from: Clinical management and mortality among COVID-19 cases in sub-Saharan Africa: a retrospective study from Burkina Faso and simulated case analysis.

Absolute numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths reported to date in the sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) region have been relatively low. As a result, there has been limited investigation into deceased cases in the region, as well as the impacts of different case management strategies. We detail demographic, epidemiological, and clinical information derived from publicly available information on deceased cases in SSA and, for cases in Burkina Faso, from aggregate records at the Center Hospitalier Universitaire de Tengandogo. Logistic regression was conducted on a synthetic case population to evaluate the adjusted odds of survival for patients receiving oxygen therapy or convalescent plasma, based on therapeutic effectiveness observed for other respiratory illnesses. Across SSA, deceased cases have been predominantly male and over 50 years of age. After adjustment for sex, age, and underlying conditions, the odds of mortality among cases in the synthetic population not receiving oxygen therapy was significantly higher than those receiving oxygen (OR: 2.07; 95%CI: 1.56-2.75). Cases receiving convalescent plasma had 50% reduced odds of mortality (95%CI: 0.24-0.93). Investment in sustainable oxygen therapy could reduce COVID-19 deaths in SSA. Ongoing investigation into convalescent plasma is warranted, as data on its effectiveness specifically in treating COVID-19 becomes available.