Abstract Aims Many patients were found to have SARS-CoV-2 infection on admission to our ICU for non-COVID-19 related illness. This may alter the expected course of their presenting condition, especially when they develop ARDS. Hence, we wanted to study the incidence, risk factors, and ARDS outcomes of these patients admitted to our ICU. Methods We reviewed all admissions (medical, surgical, and obstetric) to our ICU from May to October of 2020 and studied their age, gender, comorbidities, admission diagnosis, APACHE II score, and in-hospital course. ARDS was defined as PaO2/FiO2 ≤ 300 mmHg (with PEEP or CPAP ≥ 5 cmH2O) in the absence of cardiac failure or fluid overload. Arterial Blood Gas, chest radiographs, and bedside echocardiography were used to diagnose ARDS. Results Of the 832 patients, 119 (14.3%) had SARS-CoV-2 infection. 41 of 119 (34.5%) patients developed ARDS. Among the comorbidities studied, only systemic hypertension (OR 2.6; 95% CI 1.0-6.2) seemed to increase the ARDS odds. Patients with sepsis (OR 5.8; 95% CI 2.4-13.7) and APACHE II score ≥10 (OR 5; 95% CI 2.0-12.3) had higher odds of developing ARDS. These patients required invasive ventilation, vasopressors, steroids and had prolonged hospital stays. Age, gender, trauma, and recent surgery did not seem to increase the risk of ARDS. Conclusions Asymptomatic COVID-19 patients with systemic hypertension, sepsis, and APACHE II score ≥10 are at a higher risk of developing ARDS. However, further research is needed to predict the extent to which SARS-CoV-2 infection will influence the course and outcomes of their presenting illness.