WHO: 80% of coronavirus infections are 'mild'

In just 14% of infections, serious conditions such as pneumonia develop. The latest data from the Chinese authorities speak of 72,528 infections and 1,870 total deaths. The number of new deaths in China has decreased for the third consecutive day; the infections outside Hubei decreased for the 14th consecutive day. Beijing publishes largest research to date on Covid-19.

Beijing (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The new Covid-19 coronavirus causes only mild diseases for 80% of infected patients, who then manage to recover announced World Health Organization (WHO) director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (photo),yesterday.

He added that only 14% of the infections develop serious diseases such as pneumonia. "About 5% of cases are considered critical with possible multi-organ impairment, septic shock, respiratory failure and, in some cases, death," he said. Finally, there are "relatively few" episodes of infections among children, but more research is needed to understand why.

Last night, the highest Chinese health authority reported 72,528 cases of contagion from Covid-19. The total death toll in China reached 1,870: the figure increased by 98 people in one day; 93 of these died in the province of Hubei, the epicenter of the epidemic. The number of new deaths in China has declined for the third consecutive day. The National Health Commission has reported over 1,890 new cases of infection, 1,807 in Hubei. New cases outside the province declined for the 14th consecutive day.

Among the 17,016 infected people on the Chinese mainland, about 20% (11,741 people) are in critical condition. A total of 12,552 patients recovered and were discharged from medical facilities. Hong Kong confirmed 60 new infections, one death and two recoveries; Macau 10 infections and five recoveries. Taiwan further 22 cases, with one death and two recoveries. In the rest of the world, there are 804 episodes of Covid-19 and three victims across 25 countries.

Chinese health authorities released a study yesterday on over 70,000 confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases. The document suggests that the epidemic has been on the decline since last week, but the authors warn that infections could increase with the return to work of citizens who have enjoyed prolonged New Year holidays. The article, published in a weekly volume by the China Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Ccdc), includes all the cases registered in the Chinese infectious disease information system until 11 February. This makes it the most extensive research on Covid-19.

Shortly after the publication of the document, the WHO director-general invited the public to calm, despite the positive news contained in it. "This trend must be interpreted very cautiously. Trends can change as new populations are affected,” Tedros said. “It’s too early to tell if this reported decline will continue. Every scenario is still on the table".

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