The Conversation

What steps hospitals can take if coronavirus leads to a shortage of beds

24-03-2020 Author: Gerard Fitzgerald, Emeritus Professor, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology

The number of COVID-19 cases in Australian continues to grow with new cases confirmed each day.

Of those who get ill, about 20% will have moderate or severe illness that requires hospitalisation.

Based on experience in China, of those admitted, about 26% will require a stay in an intensive care unit (ICU) and 17% mechanical ventilation.

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