Conclusion:
The current study identifies elevated level of IL-6, higher percentage of CD14+CD16+ inflammatory large monocytes and lower percentage of circulating naïve (CD27+CD28+CD45RA+CCR7+) CD4+ T cells early in the disease course as independent early predictors of ICU admission or death in patients with COVID-19 infection. Such predictors can be used for early identification of patients who might deteriorate and thus need early aggressive interventions. Larger studies are required to validate the current findings aiming toward better early clinical management.