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.

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

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

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.


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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