Italy Says 96% of Virus Fatalities Suffered From Other Illnesses

The coronavirus outbreak in Italy has struck overwhelmingly among the nation’s older population and those with preexisting medical conditions, according to the national health authority. Almost 96% of the country’s virus fatalities had previous medical conditions, data from Italy’s ISS health institute show. 

The ISS, which publishes a range of studies on the outbreak including a detailed weekly report, confirms a trend seen since the beginning of the emergency, with the average age of Italians who’ve died from the virus at around 80. 

“The latest numbers show that new cases and fatalities have a common profile: mostly elderly people with previous illnesses,” ISS chief Silvio Brusaferro said at a news conference Friday. 

ISS analysis shows that as of May 25 only about 1.1% of virus fatalities have been under 50 years of age and more than 57% were over 80. Nearly half of new cases in May were registered at nursing homes. 

The most recent ISS weekly study, based on a sample of about 10% of fatalities until May 21, also showed that just 124 victims, or 4.1% of the total, had no previous pathology. 

Almost 60% of victims suffered from at least three prior illnesses and about a fifth had two conditions. More than 68% had high blood pressure, about 30% had diabetes and 28% suffered from heart disease, according to the report.

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