China releases first biggest study on coronavirus; elderly, ill and health staff highly at risk

The Chinese health officials have released the first detailed study on the epidemic of coronavirus which shows that more than 44,000 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) have been reported in China as of February 11 since the outbreak began, BBC reported quoting the study. Here are some of the significant points of the study:

The biggest study of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CCDC) data revealed on Monday that the sick and elderly are highly at risk of getting infected. 80.9% of infections are classified as mild, 13.8% as severe and only 4.7% as critical.

The fatality rate or the number of people dying of the infection remains low but it is more in the case of elderly people of about 80 years of age.

The research also showed a high risk to the medical staff who are working closely to the corona infected patients. As per the study, a total number of infected health workers were 3,019 out of which 1,716 tested positive with the virus. By February 11, five deaths were reported from the health staff.

According to the data published in the Chinese Journal of Epidemiology, men's death ratio is more (2.8%) than women (1.7%) in this outbreak.

The study also tells that the people with existing illnesses, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and hypertension are at higher risk of catching the virus

The overall death rate of the Covid-19 virus is 2.3%, whereas the report also shows that the death rate in Wuhan is 2.9% as compared to 0.4% in the rest of the country.

On Tuesday, the officials announced the total death toll at 1,868 and 72,436 confirmed cases of Covid-19 virus and 1,807 infections in Hubei, located in Central China from where the outbreak began.

China broadened its criterion on how to diagnose people including "clinically diagnosed cases" which previously were counted separate from "confirmed cases".

The number of patients with coronavirus peaked from January 23 to January 26 before declining by February 11, the "the epidemic curve of onset of symptoms" showed.

The report also covered how the epidemic can be curbed, suggesting that isolation of entire cities, handwashing, mask-wearing and mobilisation of multi-sector rapid response teams can help in preventing the epidemic trend.

The study says that China needs to be cautious and prepared for the rebound of the epidemic as many people will be returning home from a long holiday.