U.S. Data: All ADULTS can have Serious Covid-19

Posted on by Jesse Santiano, M.D.

 



Before this report, we knew that the elderly and people with chronic medical problems have the highest risk of severe illness and death from Covid-19. That information came from the Chinese experience.

That knowledge is critical in preparing the world on what to expect once the epidemic reaches them.

Not all countries are the same. They differ in age distribution, medical problems, obesity rates, smoking, behaviors, culture, and health care systems. That is why local data is needed to fine-tune the health policies to address the challenges of this epidemic.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published this study on Mar 18. 

It includes 4,226 Covid-19 cases obtained from the whole U.S., including the three U.S. territories from February 12 to March 16. The results are summarized in the following table.

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Unfortunately, no data on underlying health conditions were available.

What can we learn from the table above?

  1. Severe illness leading to hospitalization, including ICU admission and death, can occur in adults of any age with COVID-19.
  2. >80% of deaths occurred among persons aged ≥60 years. Similar to China.
  3. Persons aged ≤19 years appear to have milder COVID-19 illness, with almost no hospitalizations or deaths

49 million of U.S. persons are aged ≥65 years. Many are at risk for severe COVID-19.

CDC Recommendations based on the study

  1. Family members and caregivers of older adults should know what medications they are taking to ensure that food and required medical supplies are available
  2. Long-term care facilities should prevent the introduction and spread of COVID-19
  3. Clinicians should recognize that adults of all ages can have severe  COVID-19 disease.
  4. Persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should monitor their symptoms and call their provider if symptoms get worse or go to the emergency room.
  5. Social distancing is recommended for all ages to slow the spread of the virus, prevent hospital congestion, and help protect vulnerable older adults
  6. Older adults should
    1. Maintain adequate supplies of non-perishable foods
    2. Have at least a 30-day supply of necessary medications.
    3. Keep space between themselves and others.
    4. Stay away from those who are sick
    5. Avoid crowds as much as possible
    6. Avoid cruise travel and nonessential air travel
    7. Stay home as much as possible

Persons of all ages and communities can take action to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Everyone’s efforts protect not only older adults but also everybody.

Don’t Get Sick!

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Reference:

Severe Outcomes Among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) — United States, February 12–March 16, 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. ePub: 18 March 2020. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm6912e2external icon.

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