Mortality rate and gender differences in COVID-19 patients dying in Italy: A comparison with other countries

Current evidence about COVID-19 symptoms and mortality rate derives from data collected in large case series mainly in China, where the virus first emerged, even if the rate of new cases in the country has nearly stopped. There are now many more COVID-19 cases outside of China than there were inside of it at the height of the outbreak, that is now involving many other countries with relevant impact in particular in Spain, United States, and Italy. As of the end of March 2020, Italy is the country with the highest number of COVID-19-related deaths with a total of 12428 deaths and a mortality rate close to 12