This week, coronavirus cases
in the UK surpassed 370, leading to widespread panic about the spread of the
disease.
Now, a new study has revealed who is at the highest risk of
dying from the coronavirus.
The study, published in The Lancet, analysed 191 patients
with the disease in two hospitals in Wuhan - the area where the virus
originated.
The results revealed that being of older age, showing
signs of sepsis, and
having blood clotting issues are the key risk factors linked with higher risk
of death from the virus.
Dr Zhibo Liu, co-author of the study, said: ”Older age,
showing signs of sepsis on admission, underlying diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes, and the prolonged use
of non-invasive ventilation were important factors in the deaths of these
patients.
“Poorer outcomes in older people may be due, in part, to the
age-related weakening of the immune system and increased inflammation that
could promote viral replication and more prolonged responses to inflammation,
causing lasting damage to the heart, brain, and other organs."
Meanwhile, the study also suggests that recovered patients
may remain infectious for longer than previously thought.
The researchers found that viral shedding was 20 days in
survivors, indicating that two weeks of isolation may not be long enough.
Professor Bin Cao, co-lead author of the study, said: “The
extended viral shedding noted in our study has important implications for
guiding decisions around isolation precautions and antiviral treatment in
patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection.
“However, we need to be clear that viral shedding time
should not be confused with other self-isolation guidance for people who may
have been exposed to COVID-19 but do not have symptoms, as this guidance is
based on the incubation time of the virus.
“We recommend that negative tests for COVID-19 should be
required before patients are discharged from hospital.”
Delving deeper into the results, the researchers found that
the average duration of fever in those with the disease was about 12 days,
while shortness of breath lasted about 13 days.