Experts Warn 400,000 Coronavirus Deaths In Japan
A team of experts in Japan says more than 400,000 people would die from the new coronavirus nationwide if no measures are taken to contain infections.
The health ministry set up the team to help halt the spread of the virus. They reported their estimate on Wednesday.
They say the number of seriously ill patients would peak about 60 days after the infection starts to expand, if no social distancing measures are taken.
At the peak, 200,000 people aged 15 to 64, and 650,000 people aged 65 or older would be in serious condition. In total, 850,000 patients would need ventilators.
The team says half of them would likely die because of a shortage of ventilators, based on a study from China that showed a similar fatality rate.
One of the team members, Professor Nishiura Hiroshi of Hokkaido University, said reducing person-to-person contact is an effective way to prevent the virus from spreading. He called on the public to minimize outings and avoid contact with others.
