Coronavirus - guidelines on testing and counting the number of fatalities
24.3.2020
Priority question for written answer P-001826/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Silvia Sardone (ID)
In Europe, the coronavirus is continuing to spread, but there are discrepancies between Member States regarding the number of people tested and problems with a lack of transparency. In many Member States, the numbers are not made public or clearly explained: while in some countries asymptomatic patients are being tested, in others only patients with severe symptoms are tested to check whether they need to be hospitalised. Some countries do not release specific data on the number of ICU patients. There is also a discrepancy on the mortality rate which depends on how the deceased are counted: in Italy, people with severe pre-existent illnesses are included among coronavirus victims, while Germany takes into account only persons having coronavirus as the sole cause of death.
Can the Commission say:
- 1.One month since the outbreak began, is there a single protocol in Europe on the categories of people to be tested?
- 2.Is the general guideline to carry out blanket testing (as for example South Korea has done) or instead to check only those with a high temperature and breathing difficulties?
- 3.Should deaths related to the coronavirus be counted only if the virus is the only cause of death or also if they are linked to other conditions?