April 3, 2020

Monitoring trends and differences in COVID-19 case fatality rates using decomposition methods: Contributions of age structure and age-specific fatality.

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Transmission

• The authors estimated population-level case fatality rates (CFR) for 7 countries (U.S. included) and New York City, and analyzed the age-structure of confirmed cases and the age-specific case-fatality. They report that the age-structure of cases likely reflects differences in testing regimes and transmission trajectories, and age-specific CFRs could indicate worsening health outcomes of those infected with COVID-19
• An accurate assessment of differences in CFRs across countries and over time are crucial to determine appropriate containment and mitigation interventions, such as social confinement and mobility restrictions. 

Dudel et al. (Mar 31, 2020). Monitoring trends and differences in COVID-19 case fatality rates using decomposition methods: Contributions of age structure and age-specific fatality. Pre-print downloaded Apr 3 from https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.03.31.20048397