South Korea has tested 140,000 people for the coronavirus and its death rate is just 0.6%

https://news.yahoo.com/south-korea-tested-140-000-031000719.html

South Korea has tested more than 140,000 people for the new coronavirus and confirmed more than 6,000 cases. Its fatality rate is around 0.6%.

This suggests that, as many health experts have predicted, the virus' fatality rate seems to decrease as more cases are reported.

That's because more widespread testing leads more mild cases to be included in the count.

The US, by contrast, has tested around 1,500 people. The country has 221 confirmed cases and 12 deaths, suggesting a death rate of 5%.

The US' testing capacity has been limited.

•••••

The US and South Korea announced their first cases of the coronavirus on the same day: January 20. More than six weeks later, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tested around 1,500 people for the virus. South Korea, meanwhile, has tested about 140,000.

•••••

Widespread testing could mean a lower death rate because the majority of coronavirus cases — around 80% — are considered mild. But the cases reported first are often those with the most severe symptoms, since those people go to the hospital. Milder cases, on the other hand, could go uncounted or get reported later on.

•••••

People under age 40 have just a 0.2% risk of dying from the virus, early research has shown. The majority of severe cases are among elderly patients or those with preexisting health problems.

•••••