Upregulated genes in early COVID-19 mortality included many involved with interferon signaling (e.g., GBP2, ISG15), the NF-κB pathway (e.g., NFKB2, NFKBIA), and TNF-α and IL-1 signaling (e.g., TANK, NOD1, RELA). Here, IL1B is linked to COVID-19.