Most cases were classified as mild (81%; ie, nonpneumonia and mild pneumonia).
However, 14% were severe (ie, dyspnea, respiratory frequency ≥30/min, blood oxygen saturation ≤93%, partial pressure of arterial oxygen to fraction of inspired oxygen ratio <300, and/or lung infiltrates >50% within 24 to 48 hours),
and 5% were critical (ie, respiratory failure, septic shock, and/or multiple organ dysfunction or failure) (Box).1
Both "severe" and "critical" obviously mean a hospital stay so again about 20% will need to be hospitalized...which MORE than crashes the medical system if it becomes real widespread.
We have societal and cultural advantages over China in regards to spreading between us.
1. We cover our mouths when we sneeze and cough.
2. Far fewer heavy smokers here.
3. We wash our hands.
4. We don’t tend to live in huge apartment towers with shared circulation systems.
5. I’d like to think we listen to some basic science over superstition - your mileage may vary.
6. We don’t eat family style from the same bowls/plates using dirty chopsticks.
But again those are still likely just the most severe cases. The actual percentages are almost assuredly lower.