https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/03/13/coronavirus-colorado-italy-covid-19/
The stories are way too similar.
1500 deaths in a country of 60 million...a healthcare system that is paralyzed over 17,000 cases, not all of them serious or requiring intense care.
And they will not treat those most likely to die: the elderly, hence sending their rates UP.
I just can’t buy all this.
1500 deaths in a country of 60 million...a healthcare system that is paralyzed over 17,000 cases, not all of them serious or requiring intense care.
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No the correct statistical comparison is 1500 deaths in a country that has had 17000 cases. Almost 8 percent mortality.
Mainly because Italy's health care is socialist, fewer ICU beds per capita. Also they had an early outbreak fed from China. Finally Italy's northern region is a special case with very high NO2 readings every winter. That enhanced the spread of the virus.
I just can’t buy all this.
You and me both!
The following kind of puts things in perspective.
CDC estimates* that, from October 1, 2019, through March 7, 2020, there have been:
36,000,000 – 51,000,000 flu illnesses
17,000,000 – 24,000,000 flu medical visits
370,000 – 670,000 flu hospitalizations
22,000 – 55,000 flu deaths
And how about the 2018 flu season in the U.S.
CDC: 80,000 people died of flu last winter in U.S., highest death toll in 40 years.
Then again, it may be nothing more than the Good Lord's way of "thinning the herd."