What is the survival rate of those infected by Covid 19 who are put on a ventilator?

The survival rate of those infected by Covid 19 who are put on a ventilator vary depending upon the person's age, overall health, and other factors. According to an observational study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network Open) in April 2020 involving 2122 patients hospitalized with Covid-19 in Wuhan China, it estimated that only 28.3% of patients that used invasive mechanical ventilation survived up to 30 days after admission. Similarly, in a study published by Intensive Care Medicine journal which included 216 critically ill ICU patients at 50 hospitals across 17 European countries found out that only 28% survived until discharge from ICU.

However more recent data suggests that survival rates for those on ventilators have improved due to better diagnostic techniques and treatment options such as high flow oxygen therapy, ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation), Prone Positioning(lying flat on stomach)and early diagnosis and treatments . A joint study conducted by researchers from Wuhan Tongji Hospital & Shandong Provincial Chest Hospital China showed a 6-month mortality rate of 42%. Another research article published in Intensive Care Medicine journal reported four times higher survival rate for mechanically ventilated COVID-19 patients compared to JAMA’s previous estimates i.e., 43?fore day 30 and 27 ?fore day 90 post hospitalisation with appropriate medical care given at right time.

Overall there is no definitive answer since the above studies mostly included cases with very severe symptoms who were treated late or not treated well enough unlike current situation where awareness is high and proper measures taken within early stages may improve these numbers significantly. Therefore it really depends on how soon one can catch infection and seek adequate medical care Soonest possible time increases likelihood of recovery drastically as per some recent reports although further studies are warranted since this pandemic is evolving rapidly .