Data analysis

Data generated were analyzed using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Normality was tested with one-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Shapiro-Wilk tests. Sample characteristics were summarized with descriptive statistics, and the data were presented in tables and figures. Parametric data (pulse, SPO₂%, blood pressure, HCT%, MCV, granulocytes and MPV) were presented in means ± standard deviation and non-parametric data (age, temperature, Hb, RBC, MCH, MCHC, RDW-CV, WBC, lymphocyte count, platelet, PDW%, PCT%, ferritin and PAI-1) in medians (1^st-3^rd quarters). Unpaired parametric data were compared with Student’s T-test and unpaired non-parametric data were compared with Mann-Whitney U-test. Paired parametric data (on admission and after recovery) were compared using the Paired Sample T-test, whilst paired non-parametric data were compared with Wilcoxon signed-rank test. A p<0.05 was considered statistically significant.