COVID-19 Severity and COVID-19–Associated Deaths Among Hospitalized Patients with HIV Infection — Zambia, March–December 2020

The effect of HIV infection on COVID-19 outcomes is unclear.Studies in South Africa (1) and the United Kingdom (2) found an independent association between HIV infection and COVID-19 mortality; however, other studies have not found an association between poor COVID-19 outcomes and either HIV status among hospitalized patients (3-5) or HIV-associated factors such as CD4 count, viral load, or type of antiretroviral therapy (ART) (6).The effect of HIV infection on COVID-19 outcomes remains an urgent question in sub-Saharan Africa, where many countries are experiencing dual HIV and COVID-19 epidemics, and capacity to treat severe COVID-19 is limited.Using data from patients with probable or confirmed COVID-19 admitted to specialized treatment centers during March-December 2020 in Zambia, the Zambian Ministry of Health and CDC assessed the relationship between HIV infection and severe COVID-19 and COVID-19associated death.Among 443 patients included in the study, 122 (28%) were HIV-positive, and of these, 91 (89%) were receiving ART at the time of hospitalization.HIV status alone was not significantly associated with severe COVID-19 at admission or during hospitalization or with COVID-19-associated death.However, among HIV-positive persons, those with severe HIV disease were more likely to develop severe COVID-19 and were at increased risk for COVID-19-associated death.Ensuring that persons maintain HIV disease control, including maintaining ART continuity and adherence, achieving viral suppression, and addressing and managing underlying medical conditions, could help reduce COVID-19-associated morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa.Zambia is a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, with an estimated population of 17.4 million* and a generalized HIV/AIDS epidemic with HIV prevalence among persons aged ≥15 years of 12.1% (7).Beginning in March 2020, patients with a diagnosis of probable or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in Zambia were admitted to one of five Zambia Ministry of Health specialized COVID-19 treatment centers located in the capital city of Lusaka (two treatment centers) and in Ndola, Kabwe, and Livingstone.Confirmed cases were those with positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain *