In Italy, all confirmed COVID-19 cases that eventually died were counted as COVID-19 deaths, which may lead to higher counts of deaths. This may not account for discrepancy between CFR in Italy and China, however,  because China used a similar definition.


University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

1. diverse age distribution
2. different definition of COVID-19 deaths by country
3. testing strategy differences between countries

Potential reasons for comparatively high COVID-19 CFR in Italy

Giangreco, G. (2020). Case fatality rate analysis of Italian COVID‐19 outbreak. Journal Of Medical Virology. doi: 10.1002/jmv.25894

Case Fatality Rate Analysis of Italian COVID-19 Outbreak

Age distribution in Italy likely influenced comparatively high CFRs reported, but does not account for the total difference between Italy's CFR and those in other countries.

Diverse age distribution in Italy as potential explanation of high COVID-19 CFR

Different definition of COVID-19 deaths by country as potential explanation of high COVID-19 CFR in Italy

Most people being tested for COVID-19 in Italy have severe symptoms, which suggests they are more likely to die from the illness. This inflates the CFR. 

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