Danila Azzolina1,2, Giulia Lorenzoni1, Luciano Silvestri1, Ilaria Prosepe1, Paola Berchialla3, Dario Gregori1. 1. Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, Italy. 2. Research Support Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Eastern Piedmont, Italy. 3. Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started in Italy on February 20, 2020, and has resulted in many deaths and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. This study aimed to illustrate the epidemic COVID-19 growth pattern in Italy by considering the regional differences in disease diffusion during the first 3 mo of the epidemic. METHODS: Official COVID-19 data were obtained from the Italian Civil Protection Department of the Council of Ministers Presidency. The mortality and ICU admission rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated at the regional level and summarized by means of a Bayesian multilevel meta-analysis. Data were retrieved until April 21, 2020. RESULTS: The highest cumulative mortality rates per 100 000 inhabitants were observed in northern Italy, particularly in Lombardia (85.3; 95% credibility intervals [CI], 75.7-94.7). The difference in the mortality rates between northern and southern Italy increased over time, reaching a difference of 67.72 (95% CI, 66-67) cases on April 2, 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Northern Italy showed higher and increasing mortality rates during the first 3 mo of the epidemic. The uncontrolled virus circulation preceding the infection spreading in southern Italy had a considerable impact on system burnout. This experience demonstrates that preparedness against the pandemic is of crucial importance to contain its disruptive effects.
OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak started in Italy on February 20, 2020, and has resulted in many deaths and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. This study aimed to illustrate the epidemic COVID-19 growth pattern in Italy by considering the regional differences in disease diffusion during the first 3 mo of the epidemic. METHODS: Official COVID-19 data were obtained from the Italian Civil Protection Department of the Council of Ministers Presidency. The mortality and ICU admission rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated at the regional level and summarized by means of a Bayesian multilevel meta-analysis. Data were retrieved until April 21, 2020. RESULTS: The highest cumulative mortality rates per 100 000 inhabitants were observed in northern Italy, particularly in Lombardia (85.3; 95% credibility intervals [CI], 75.7-94.7). The difference in the mortality rates between northern and southern Italy increased over time, reaching a difference of 67.72 (95% CI, 66-67) cases on April 2, 2020. CONCLUSIONS: Northern Italy showed higher and increasing mortality rates during the first 3 mo of the epidemic. The uncontrolled virus circulation preceding the infection spreading in southern Italy had a considerable impact on system burnout. This experience demonstrates that preparedness against the pandemic is of crucial importance to contain its disruptive effects.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; ICU; hospitalization; lag effect; mortality rate
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