• Transcript levels of IL1RN, IL1B, CXCL17, CXCL8, CXCL1, CXCL2, and CCL2, CCL7 were increased in COVID-19 patients in comparison to healthy controls.• Upregulation of calgranulin genes S100A8, S100A9 and S100A12 were observed.• Interferon response was also observed as indicated by upregulation of about 83 ISGs in COVID-19 patients. Here, IL1RN is linked to COVID-19.