CXCL8 and lymphopenia: • Leukocytosis was observed in 56 patients who died due to the disease. Deceased patients had robust decrease in lymphocytes and displayed lymphocytopenia.• Levels of IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α were higher in deceased as compared to the recovered patients.• Serum levels of D-dimer, ferritin, ALT, AST, procalcitonin, creatinine creatine kinase, total bilirubin, ALP, and GGT were markedly increased in deceased patients.