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

Abstract

To help health workers and the public recognize and deal with the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) quickly, effectively, and calmly with an updated understanding. A comprehensive search from Chinese and worldwide official websites and announcements was performed between 1 December 2019 and 9:30 AM 26 January 2020 (Beijing time). A latest summary of 2019-nCoV and the current outbreak was drawn. Up to 24 PM, 25 January 2020, a total of 1975 cases of 2019-nCoV infection were confirmed in mainland China with a total of 56 deaths having occurred. The latest mortality was approximately 2.84% with a total of 2684 cases still suspected. The China National Health Commission reported the details of the first 17 deaths up to 24 PM, 22 January 2020. The deaths included 13 males and 4 females. The median age of the people who died was 75 (range 48-89) years. Fever (64.7%) and cough (52.9%) were the most common first symptoms among those who died. The median number of days from the occurence of the first symptom to death was 14.0 (range 6-41) days, and it tended to be shorter among people aged 70 years or more (11.5 [range 6-19] days) than those aged less than 70 years (20 [range 10-41] days; P = .033). The 2019-nCoV infection is spreading and its incidence is increasing nationwide. The first deaths occurred mostly in elderly people, among whom the disease might progress faster. The public should still be cautious in dealing with the virus and pay more attention to protecting the elderly people from the virus. K E Y W O R D S coronavirus, epidemiology, infection

Review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on current evidence

“…However, the maximum latency of SARS-CoV-2 currently observed is as high as 24 days, which may increase the risk of virus transmission. Moreover, it also found that people 70 years or older had shorter median days (11.5 days) from the first symptom to death than those with ages below 70 years (20 days), demonstrating that elderly people have faster disease progression than younger people [27]. From the above, the public should pay more attention to elderly people who might be more vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2.…”

“…From the epidemiological investigation report, elderly citizens are susceptible groups for SARS-CoV-2, the median age of death was 75 years, and most of them had comorbidities or a history of surgery before admission [27]. Zhong.…”

“…Zhong. et al found that, based on clinical features of 1,099 COVID-19 patients, the median incubation period was 3.0 days (range, 0 to 24.0), the median time from the first symptom to death was 14 days [15,27]. For SARS, the median latency of SARS is 4 days, the average duration of first symptoms to hospital admission was 3.8 days, and admission to death was 17.4 days for casualties [28], and the median latency of MERS is 7 days [29].…”

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19): The epidemic and the challenges

“…However, most deaths developed in male and elderly patients [4 , 40] . The median number of days from the appearance of the first symptom to death was 14 days, and it was significantly shorter among patients aged ≥70 years (11.5 days) compared with those aged < 70 years (20 days) ( P = 0.033) [40] .…”

The epidemiology and pathogenesis of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak

“…The China National Health Commission reported the details of the first 17 deaths up to January 22, 2020. On January 25, 2020, a total of 1975 cases were confirmed to be infected with the COVID-19 in mainland China with a total of 56 deaths [8]. Another report on January 24, 2020 estimated the cumulative incidence in China to be 5502 cases [9].…”