Italian research claims 96% of Covid-19 victims suffered pre-existing illnesses
Research into Covid-19 infections in Italy found that 96% of fatalities suffered from pre-existing medical conditions.
According to data from the ISS health institute, the virus struck overwhelmingly among the nation’s older population and people with delicate health.
The ISS, which publishes a range of studies on the outbreak including a detailed weekly report, confirmed that the average age of Italians who’d died from the virus was around 80.
The average age of virus cases was 62 years old with about 30% of those infected were under 50. Nevertheless, the ISS analysis revealed a gap in age when it came to fatalities. As of May 25, only about 1.1% of fatalities linked to the virus were among those under 50 years of age and more than 57% were amongst those over 80.
The most recent ISS weekly study, based on a sample of about 10% of fatalities until 21 May, also showed that just 124 victims, or 4.1% of the total, had no previous pathology.
“The latest numbers show that new cases and fatalities have a common profile: mostly elderly people with previous illnesses,” ISS chief Silvio Brusaferro said at a news conference Friday, Bloomberg reported.
Italy has been one of the worst hit countries in Europe, registering over 32,000 deaths and over 230,000 cases in total.
The same newswire also reported on Tuesday on how the country was also currently easing lockdown measures and the government's pledge to allow full free movement of Italians from 3 June.
However, authorities in Rome were still considering keeping borders shut in the northern regions of Italy, the epicentre of the virus in Europe.