Novel CoronaVirus 2019-nCoV killing many Wuhan seniors

Donate X.com Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn


Individuals with underlying conditions, like asthma, diabetes and hypertension, have a higher death risk among patients infected with the Wuhan novel coronavirus. The “morbidity of the disease seems to be intense for seniors, particularly males,” say the Chinese Health authorities.

China’s National Health Commission has said that about 80% of those patients who have died from the 2019-nCoV were over the age of 60 and that some 75% of them had “pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes”.

by Sharon Santiago

the actual Wuhan novel coronavirusThe Wuhan novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Photo Credit: USA National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Division of Viral Diseases. Photo Art/Cropping/Enhancement: Rosa Yamamoto/ Feminine-Perspective Magazine

Study of 138 Hospitalized Pts with Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)–Infected Pneumonia (NCIP)

In a study of Clinical Characteristics of 138 Hospitalized Patients with 2019 Novel Coronavirus–Infected Pneumonia (NCIP) in Wuhan, China it was revealed Friday that a “presumed hospital-related transmission of 2019-nCoV was suspected in 41% of patients, 26% of patients received ICU care, and mortality was 4.3%“.

Of 138 hospitalized patients with NCIP, the median age was 56 years ranging from 22-92 years and 75 (54.3%) were men.

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has published a single page document for patients and caregivers that can be read or downloaded from here: “What you need to know about 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)”

According to Nurse Sara Qin who is a RINJ Foundation nurse working in Wuhan City, “[Translated from Mandarin ] The Wuhan novel coronavirus is a reminder of the importance for patients to adhere to their treatments of chronic illness. Too many patients have a casual approach when their illness has no symptoms, like hypertensive heart disease, the silent killer [high blood pressure]. Also type 2 diabetes is a chronic illness too many patients do not take their doctors advice on treatment and particularly diet and exercise and thus have some vulnerabilities to any illness. This coronavirus is like that. If you are sick already, even not having symptoms, the novel coronavirus will make a person more ill.”

“Coincidentally,” she adds, it is seniors who need to think in more modern terms and follow their doctor’s advice. We think that might be a regional social issue and not applying to the world but we do not know, here, for sure.”

 

World Health Organization seems to imply that the Chinese findings are a Myth

The World Health Organization (WHO) is promoting a different narrative than what the Chinese medical authorities are enunciating point blank.

According to the World Health Organization in its online “Mythbusters” it says:

“People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus.

“WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene.”

2019-nCoV is spreading inside hospitals.

Photo taken on Feb. 8, 2020 shows a ward at Leishenshan (Thunder God Mountain) Hospital in Jiangxia District of Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province. The Leishenshan Hospital, another makeshift hospital in Wuhan, uses a modular design based on the layout of a field hospital. (Xinhua/Xiao Yijiu) Photo Art/Cropping/Enhancement: Rosa Yamamoto / Feminine-Perspective Magazine

In an article published in the Jamanetwork, Dr. Anthony Fauci noted that, “Human coronaviruses (HCoVs) have long been considered inconsequential pathogens, causing the “common cold” in otherwise healthy people. However, in the 21st century, 2 highly pathogenic HCoVs—severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)—emerged from animal reservoirs to cause global epidemics with alarming morbidity and mortality. In December 2019, yet another pathogenic HCoV, 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), was recognized in Wuhan, China, and has caused serious illness and death. The ultimate scope and effect of this outbreak is unclear at present as the situation is rapidly evolving.”

Watch below as Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the latest developments in the global 2019-nCoV outbreak with JAMA Editor Howard Bauchner. This video interview was originally broadcast on Thursday, 6 February at 09:30 CST.

MythBuster. Source: World Health Organization