Introduction:

The high transmission of COVID-19 poses great challenges to the health care systems of the countries. With the early identification of the symptoms and its subsequent confirmation, patient care is improved and the risk of contagion is reduced.

Objective:

To identify the main symptoms of COVID-19 patients when seeking for medical assistance during the first quarter of 2021 in the health area.

Methods:

A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from January to June 2021 at the University Teaching Polyclinic “Mario Muñoz Monroy” in Habana del Este municipality. The sample consisted of 262 patients aged 5 to 95 with a positive RT-PCR, who sought medical assistance at the specialized COVID-19 consultation. Information was retrieved from the statistical records and the epidemiological surveys from the departments of Statistics and Hygiene and Epidemiology.

Results:

In the surveys, 804 symptoms were identified, of which 51.86 % occurred among females and 48.31%, among males. The age group between 20 and 64 years presented the greatest symptomatology. The most recurrent symptoms in this group were cough, rhinorrhea, and fever; while loss of taste, anorexia, expectoration, and abdominal pain were documented to a lesser extent.

Conclusions:

Patients of different ages and sex suffer from COVID-19. Symptomatic patients manifest a combination of respiratory and digestive symptoms, with predominance of the former at the time of consultation.

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