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. 2020 May;25(19):2000620.
doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.19.2000620.

Mortality impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak by sex and age: rapid mortality surveillance system, Italy, 1 February to 18 April 2020

Paola Michelozzi  1 , Francesca de'Donato  1 , Matteo Scortichini  1 , Manuela De Sario  1 , Fiammetta Noccioli  1 , Pasqualino Rossi  2 , Marina Davoli  1
Affiliations

Mortality impacts of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak by sex and age: rapid mortality surveillance system, Italy, 1 February to 18 April 2020

Paola Michelozzi et al. Euro Surveill. 2020 May.

Abstract

Data from the rapid mortality surveillance system in 19 major Italian cities were used to carry out a timely assessment of the health impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. By 18 April, a + 45% excess in mortality was observed, with a higher impact in the north of the country (+ 76%). The excess was greatest among men, with an increasing trend by age. Surveillance data can be used to evaluate the lockdown and re-opening phases.

Keywords: COVID-19; demographic factors; mortality; surveillance system; vulnerable populations.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Weekly trend in mean daily observed and expected mortality in northerna and central-southernb cities during the COVID-19 outbreak, Italy, November 2019–April 2020
Figure 2
Figure 2
Excess mortality by sex and age groups (all ages, 15–64, 65–74, 75–84, ≥ 85 years) in northerna vs central and southernb cities, COVID-19 outbreak, Italy, starting datec–18 April 2020
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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