O/T Coronavirus Thread

[millertop]

No-one has actually died from this virus in the UK (touch wood).

Probably going to be the next virus that is really deadly rather than this one.

The death rate has been estimated at 3.4%, SARS had a 10% death rate and last year's ebola outbreak killed 67% in comparison.

The death rate from the flu is 0.1% though so it is more serious than that.

To me this is yet another case against globalisation, only the rich seem to benefit from it.

You’ve just jinxed uk

A patient with underlying health conditions has become the first person in the UK to die after testing positive for coronavirus.
The Royal Berkshire NHS Trust said they were an "older patient" who had been "in and out of hospital for non-coronavirus reasons".
The patient "was admitted and last night tested positive for coronavirus".
It comes as the number of UK people diagnosed with the virus reached 116, a rise of more than 30 since Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the prime minister's official spokesman said it was "highly likely the virus is going to spread in a significant way".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51759602

[Pattylallacks2]

Let's be honest, the only thing that will come out of the government's promise to bridge the North-South divide is Coronavirus.

[WanChaiMiller]

It wasn't further up the thread until I merged the two threads

Already posted up or down on one or other of the merged threads, except if youre posting in the merged thread then it could be anywhere.

[WanChaiMiller]

Italy has recorded 769 new cases and 41 new deaths taking the to total to 3858 cases and 148 deaths.

[Pattylallacks2]

Italy has recorded 769 new cases and 41 new deaths taking the to total to 3858 cases and 148 deaths.

Has anyone tried to explain why the death rate in Italy seems to be so much higher than elsewhere?

[KerrAvon]

A professor of microbiology from the University of Milan was asked about that on Radio 4. He suggested two factors:

1. Mild cases are not being fully recorded so that the actual size of the outbreak is greater than that upon which the calculation is based; and
2. The worst affected areas are popular with retired people such that it may be that the profile of the affected population includes a higher proportion of the elderly.

[WanChaiMiller]

Has anyone tried to explain why the death rate in Italy seems to be so much higher than elsewhere?

Yes. Ive looked into it quite closely as I spend a few months a year in China and Hong Kong. This is what I posted a few days ago on another thread.

...."We are in danger of being misled by the figures coming out of China. The infection rates and mortality rate will not pan out the exact same way in every country.

The spread and death rate relate directly to government / population response and quality of medical care. The World Health Organisation did an extensive report into the China response. They cinclude that lockdowns in hotspot areas was key to stop the spread - China were very quick to act. The excellent medical care they provided prevented a much higher death rate. The 2 together prevented a greater catastrophe.

China gave health care for Covid19 free to all (where they previously would pay) and built new specialist care centres. They extended prescriptions to 3 months so patients were covered without needing to return to medical centres and, so, maybe infect others.

If other countries do not match this response the outcome will be very different.

If countries are negligent, as, initially, in Italy or have a poor medical response, as in Iran, the problem can quickly run out of control."

[WanChaiMiller]

Has anyone tried to explain why the death rate in Italy seems to be so much higher than elsewhere?

In China, in terms of treatment the split was (roughly, from memory):
80% were treated at home in isolation
16% in specialist care
4% in critical care

If hospitals do not have the space the outcome will be different per region depending resources.

[jocksgloves]

Cant help thinking that 50 years ago , we'd have just weathered it.

[howdydoo]

Cant help thinking that 50 years ago , we'd have just weathered it.

Yeah, you would.

Issue you have now is that you're 50 years older.

Look after thi'sen.