Objective: To describe demographic and clinical characteristics and the factors associated with the risk of COVID-19 general hospitalization and ICU care of patients who consulted in a third-level hospital in Colombia.Methods: Ambidirectional cohort study. We included all patients with positive real-time polymerase chain reaction tests for COVID-19 who came to the emergency room for respiratory symptoms related to COVID-19. We collected patients' baseline characteristics, symptoms, and vital signs through telephone calls and medical records.Results: We enrolled 3030 patients, predominantly men, with a median age of 60. Symptoms of the acute phase varied between men and women; men presented more respiratory symptoms, and women had general symptoms. Hypertension, obesity and diabetes were common risk factors for hospital admission. Antibiotic consumption may also play a role in hospital admission.Conclusions: Male sex and older age, were associated with disease severity in our population. Hypertension and obesity are crucial risk factors for hospital admission. Antibiotic consumption may play a role in disease progression. We highlight the importance of these findings as possible predictors in our region.