CHINA — Chinese authorities have published a study of COVID-19 patients across China – the largest one done on the disease so far.<br /><br />According to data released by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 80.9 percent of COVID-19 cases have been mild, with patients exhibiting only mild pneumonia or none at all.<br /><br />Thirteen point eight percent of infections were classified as severe, and 4.7 percent as critical, with the sick and elderly found to be most at risk.<br /><br />The study also pointed out the high risk the outbreak presented to medical workers, 1,716 of whom have been diagnosed with the disease.<br /><br />While men are more likely than women to get infected, children and teens aged 0 to 19 are not as affected, making up just 2 percent of those who contracted COVID-19.<br /><br />Of the 44,672 confirmed cases used in the study, 1,023 had died as of February 11, which puts the crude death rate for the virus at 2.3 percent.<br /><br />Hubei province was found to have a much higher rate at 2.9 percent, compared to 0.4 percent for the rest of China.<br /><br />Patients with cardiovascular disease were found most likely to die of complications from the virus, followed by those suffering from diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and hypertension.<br /><br />The report finds that the epidemic peaked in January, and that a 'downward trend' in the overall epidemic curve since February 11 suggests China's aggressive containment measures have paid off.<br /><br />It's important to remember though, that the CDC is a Chinese government entity, and that with people returning home from their long holidays, there may be a possible rebound of the epidemic.
