Objectives To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of deaths of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China and understand the changing trends of the COVID-19 epidemic and the effects of prevention and control measures in Wuhan.
Methods Through the China's Infectious Disease Information System, we collected deaths’ information in Wuhan. We analyzed the patient's demographic characteristics, drew epidemiological curve, made distribution map of epidemic situation, etc. @Risk for fitting distribution, SPSS for statistical analysis, and ArcGIS for mapping.
Results As of February 24, 2020, a total of 1833 unique deaths were extracted. Among the deaths with COVID-19, the mild type accounted for the most, 37.2%, followed by severe type, 30.1%. The median age was 70.0 (inter quartile range: 63.0-79.0) years, most of the deaths were distributed in 50-89 age group; no deaths occurred in 0-9 age group; and the male to female ratio was 1.95. A total of 65.7% of the deaths in Wuhan combined with underlying diseases, and the deaths with underlying diseases were mainly male; the main combined underlying diseases were hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The peak of daily deaths appeared on February 14 and then declined after February 14. The median interval from symptom onset to diagnosis was 10.0 (6.0-14.0) days; the interval from onset to diagnosis gradually shortened. The median interval from diagnosis to death was 6.0 (2.0-11.0)days; The median interval from symptom onset to deaths was 17.0 (12.0-22.0)days, respectively. In terms of geographical distribution, the central urban area was more serious. Wuchang District had the highest number of deaths, and Jianghan District had the highest death rate.
Conclusion COVID-19 posed a greater threat to the elderly and more men than women, especially elderly men with underlying diseases. The geographical distribution showed that the epidemic in the central area of Wuhan is more serious than in the surrounding areas. Analysis of deaths as of February 24 indicates that the COVID-19 epidemic in Wuhan has achieved a tremendous improvement, and the strong epidemic control measures taken by Wuhan Government were very effective.