Update: It’s important to keep data in perspective by comparing it to other countries, previous pandemics and annual flu statistics. In addition, the novel coronavirus is associated with a family of viruses. Currently, there are no tests to distinguish between the different coronaviruses in existence, so severity can range from mild to severe. Cases may continue to increase as more testing is made available, but that does not necessarily mean that cases are increasing in severity or mortality rate. While it’s important for everyone to take part in social distancing, regular hand-washing and other recommendations, COVID-19 seemingly impacts older adults and immune-compromised individuals. This first preliminary description of outcomes among patients with COVID-19 in the United States indicates that fatality was highest in persons aged ≥85, ranging from 10% to 27%, followed by 3% to 11% among persons aged 65–84 years, 1% to 3% among persons aged 55-64 years, <1% among persons aged 20–54 years, and no fatalities among persons aged ≤19 years.
