January 30, 2020

Updated understanding of the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan, China

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Updated descriptive epidemiology is provided for the outbreak. 
  • While the authors provide an estimated case fatality of 2.84% overall, this was calculated from an outdated estimate of 1,975 cases in mainland China. 
• The first 17 deaths reported by the China national Health Commission are described clinically. 
  • The majority (13/17) were male with median age of 75. 
  • Fever (65%) and cough (53%) were the most common initial symptoms reported.
  • Median time from symptom onset to death was 14 days (range 6-41) and was shorter for patients 70+ years. 

Wang et al. (Jan 30, 2020). Updated understanding of the outbreak of 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan, China. J Med Virology. Pre-Print. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25689.