Table 3. Outcome of COVID-19 patients among Group I and Group II.

Attribute	Total (N = 386) n (%)	Group I (N = 126) n (%)	Group II (N = 260) n (%)	Relative Risk 95% CI	p-value
Recoverya,b within 7§ days	202 (52.3)	60 (47.6)	142 (54.6)	1.15 (0.93–1.42)	0.20
Persistence of symptoms 12 days or more	111 (28.8)	39 (31.0)	72 (27.7)	1.12 (0.81–1.55)	0.51
Conversion to next level of severityc	62 (16.1)	26 (20.6)	36 (13.9)	1.49 (0.94–2.35)	0.09
Persistent positivityd	53 (13.7)	24 (19.0)	29 (11.1)	1.71 (1.04–2.81)	0.04
Post COVID syndromee	172 (44.6)	65 (51.6)	107 (41.1)	1.25 (1.00–1.57)	0.05

^a Clinical recovery was defined as a normal body temperature for at least 3 days, improved respiratory symptoms defined as no shortness of breath and respiratory rate <25/min, and an oxygen saturation greater than 93% without supplemental oxygen.

^b Response criteria was that the patient had recovered clinically as defined above. The day at which clinical recovery started was considered as the response day.

^c Disease stages were defined as mild symptoms of an upper respiratory tract viral infection, including mild fever, cough (dry), sore throat, nasal congestion, malaise, headache, muscle pain, anosmia, or malaise. Moderate respiratory symptoms, such as cough and shortness of breath are present without signs of severe pneumonia (tachypnea > 30 breaths/min, and hypoxia: SpO₂ < 90% on room air. Severe tachypnea > 30 breaths/min, and hypoxia: SpO₂ < 90% on room air.

^d Persistent RT-PCR positive patient remained positive for RT-PCR at 14 days test.

^eIn the absence of any definition, we defined it as 1. Persistence of illness signs and symptoms beyond virologic clearance 2. New development of symptoms within 1 month after initial clinical and virologic cure, the etiology of which is postulated to be viral infection.

§Days calculated from the onset of symptoms to the day of clinical recovery.

Group I: Blood group A, irrespective of Rh phenotype.

Group II: Blood groups B, AB, and O, irrespective of Rh phenotype.