Health officials in China have published the
first details of more than 70,000 cases of Covid-19, in the biggest study since
the outbreak began.
first details of more than 70,000 cases of Covid-19, in the biggest study since
the outbreak began.
Data from the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC)
found that more than 80% of the cases have been mild with the sick and elderly
most at risk.
found that more than 80% of the cases have been mild with the sick and elderly
most at risk.
The research also points to the high risk for medical staff.
The findings put the overall death rate of the Covid-19 virus at 2.3%.
In Hubei, the worst affected province, the death rate is 2.9% compared
with only 0.4% in the rest of the country.
with only 0.4% in the rest of the country.
China’s latest official figures released on Tuesday put the overall
death toll at 1,868 and 72,436 infections.
death toll at 1,868 and 72,436 infections.
Officials said there were 98 new deaths and 1,886 new cases in the past
day, 93 of those deaths and 1,807 of the infections were in Hubei province –
the epicentre of the outbreak.
day, 93 of those deaths and 1,807 of the infections were in Hubei province –
the epicentre of the outbreak.
More than 12,000 people have recovered, according to Chinese
authorities.
authorities.
The paper by
CDD, released on Monday and published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology,
looked at all 72,314 cases of Covid-19 diagnosed across China as of 11
February, including confirmed, suspected, and asymptomatic cases.
CDD, released on Monday and published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology,
looked at all 72,314 cases of Covid-19 diagnosed across China as of 11
February, including confirmed, suspected, and asymptomatic cases.
While the results largely confirm previous descriptions of the virus and
patterns of infection, the study includes a detailed breakdown of the 44,672
confirmed cases across all of China.
patterns of infection, the study includes a detailed breakdown of the 44,672
confirmed cases across all of China.
Some of the conclusions reached include the following:
Some 80.9% of infections are classified as
mild, 13.8% as severe and only 4.7% as critical. Where by the highest fatality
rate is for people aged 80 and older, at 14.8%.
mild, 13.8% as severe and only 4.7% as critical. Where by the highest fatality
rate is for people aged 80 and older, at 14.8%.
For children up to 9, there have been no
fatalities and up to the age of 39, the death rate remains low at 0.2%.
fatalities and up to the age of 39, the death rate remains low at 0.2%.
The paper also identified the next age
groups, the fatality rates increase gradually: For people in their 40s it is
0.4%, in their 50s it is 1.3%, in their 60s it is 3.6% and their 70s it is 8%.
groups, the fatality rates increase gradually: For people in their 40s it is
0.4%, in their 50s it is 1.3%, in their 60s it is 3.6% and their 70s it is 8%.
Looking at the sex ratio, men are more likely
to die (2.8%) than women (1.7%).
to die (2.8%) than women (1.7%).
Identifying which existing illnesses put
patients at risk, the study finds cardiovascular disease at number one,
followed by diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and hypertension
patients at risk, the study finds cardiovascular disease at number one,
followed by diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and hypertension
