Mar 1 2020
Q: I read an article that said 15-20% of COVID ‘19 cases have required hospitalization. Are you still thinking this is a non-event?
A: Yes, because many more people are sick or infected than reported. For instance, I mentioned that one of my patients was in Milan last week, left right before quarantine, got sick this week, but not severely and quickly recovered. He did not go anywhere and did not get reported. Also, he has several of his employees with him. They were there at some convention. Governor of California reported last week that there were only 200 test kits available for the entire state. So, even if patient comes to the hospital he might not be tested.
Q: Your point is that the 20% is incorrect because the number of cases could be much high than reported? So, if the number of hospitalizations is correct, the percentage of the total is lower?
A: Yes, correct. They should say that 15-20% of those being tested and confirmed required hospitalization.