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How Deadly Is the Coronavirus?

Jamie Dettmer

   LONDON - Public health officials and epidemiologists are at odds over
   how deadly COVID-19 will prove to be, with forecasts ranging from 1% to
   3.4% of infected people dying.'
   '
   The disparity, disease modelers and virologists say, isn't surprising
   for a novel virus. They warn national differences could skew
   predictions -- especially if health care systems are overwhelmed by
   patients needing hospitalization and buckle under the strain.'
   '
   Some epidemiologists worry that may be happening now in the worst
   affected parts of northern Italy. The death-to-case ratio in Italy
   climbed Sunday to an alarming 5%, with the Civil Protection Agency
   reporting a disturbing 51% spike in deaths, bringing the total death
   toll attributed to coronavirus to 366.

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