Reinforcing the prognostic relevance of myeloid cell and Th1-driven inflammation among patients with COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, our findings provide locally-relevant biological rationale for use for broad and targeted immunomodulatory therapeutics (e.g., corticosteroids, anti-IL-6 antagonists, JAK/STAT inhibitors) in this setting. This evidence concerns the gene SOAT1 and COVID-19.