Sciensano observes these differences between corona patients admitted in the first wave and period afterwards | Medical

October 09, 2020
12u47
Bron: Sciensano

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Photo News (Archive photo)

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Medical Covid-19 has been raging in our society since March and people with the virus have been hospitalized. Between the first wave (from March to June 22) and the period afterwards (June 23 to September 14), Sciensano noted significant differences in the profile of the corona patients hospitalized. Steven Van Gucht explained the findings this afternoon at the press conference of the National Crisis Center. Conclusion? Last summer, the Covid-19 patients were on average younger and less seriously ill.

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In total, information was analyzed from 16,792 patients, the interfederal spokesperson clarified. This concerns about 70 percent of patients who have been hospitalized with Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic. Note: the data from mid-September is not yet available. The recent increases have therefore not been included in the analysis, says Van Gucht.

Age

“We see that, from this summer to mid-September, the patients admitted to the hospital are on average a bit younger and have fewer underlying conditions,” the scientist explains the results. “Patients are usually less ill on admission and also have a lower chance of being referred to intensive care. The chance of death is also lower. ”

This summer, more young people became infected, especially in the 20-50 age category

Steven Van Gucht

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“As of June 23, half of the patients hospitalized were under 60,” he continues. During the first wave, that was still 71 years. the category of 20 to 50 years, ”explains Van Gucht.

The patients who end up in hospitals are usually a bit older. “That makes sense, because the older people are more likely to develop a more severe form of Covid-19 and end up in hospital too.” During the first wave, 25 percent of hospitalized patients – over 65 years old – came from a residential care center. Currently that is about 20 percent.

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Sciensano This graph shows the number of hospital admissions per age category in the first wave and in the period thereafter.

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Underlying condition

“As of this summer, 63 percent of corona patients in the hospital had an underlying condition, versus 74 percent in the first wave. In particular, there were fewer patients with cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure. Slightly more people, on the other hand, suffered from diabetes and obesity. ”

Patients admitted after the first wave were generally less severely ill at the time of admission. Possible explanations for this include the general resumption of hospital activities, but also the lifting of some admission restrictions after the first peak.

In the summer months, fewer patients (11 percent) also required intensive care. In the first wave this was still 14 percent. In the second period, fewer patients also had to receive “mechanical ventilation”. This is 3 percent in the summer months compared to 9 percent in the first wave. “That is noticeably lower,” says Van Gucht.

Little has changed in the length of stay in hospital. “Half of the patients stay in the hospital for at least seven days, compared to eight days during the first wave.”

Deaths

“Since the corona patients are usually a bit younger since this summer and have fewer risk factors, it is also noticeable that the chance of these patients dying has decreased during this period. About 21 percent of hospitalized patients died in the first wave after admission to hospital, compared to 9 percent in the second period. ”

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Sciensano This graph shows the underlying conditions that Covid patients suffered in the first wave and in the period thereafter.

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According to Van Gucht, this may have to do with the improvement in the treatment of corona patients, but also with the on average younger age of the patients. “It remains a high mortality rate.”

Age is still the most important risk factor for death, he emphasizes. As of this summer, 22 percent of admitted patients over the age of 80 have died, compared to 37 percent in the first wave. “That’s regardless of whether these patients had an underlying condition or not.” So it remains absolutely necessary to be careful and not to infect older people, the virologist concludes.