Objectives: To describe the baseline characteristics and evaluate the risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to hospitals with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Kuwait.Subjects and Methods: This retrospective cohort analysed data of patients admitted to two hospitals in Kuwait with COVID-19. The outcome was assessed by using multivariable analysis of factors affecting survival and mortality.Results: In the 962 patients, the case fatality ratio in this study was 9.04%. The mean age of non-survivors was 63.5 ± 14.8 years, and most deaths occurred in males (80.5%). For the whole sample, source of transmission was significantly related to mortality and the median duration of in-hospital stay was 15 (interquartile range: 2-52) days. In patients with high oxygen requirements, the case fatality rate was 96.6%. Multivariable analysis identified age, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and dyspnoea on presentation as independent risk factors for COVID-19 mortality.Conclusions: The mortality rate was higher in older patients with comorbidities such as hypertension and CVD. Early recognition of high-risk patients may help to improve care and reduce mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]