ABSTRACT
Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic has been largely controlled in China, to the point where case fatality rate (CFR) data can be comprehensively evaluated.Methods: Data on confirmed patients, with a final outcome reported as of 29 March 2020, were obtained from official websites and other internet sources. The hospitalized CFR (HCFR) was estimated, epidemiological features described, and risk factors for a fatal outcome identified.Findings: The overall CFR in China was estimated to be 4.6% (95% CI 4.5%-4.8%). It increased with age and was higher in males than females. The highest CFR observed was in male patients ≥70 years old. Although the outcome of infection is generally worse for males, this adverse effect from male sex decreased as people get old. Differential age/sex CFR patterns across geographical regions were found: the age effect on CFR was greater in other provinces outside Hubei than in Wuhan. An effect of longer interval from symptom onset to admission was only observed outside Hubei, not in Wuhan. By performing multivariate analysis and survival analysis, the higher CFR was associated with older age, and male sex. Only in regions outside Hubei, longer interval from symptom onset to admission, were associated with higher CFR.Interpretation: This up-to-date and comprehensive picture of COVID-19 CFR and its drivers will help healthcare givers target limited medical resources to patients with high risk of fatality.