In Covid second wave, most fatalities in 50-60 age group in Himachal

Pratibha Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 16

Relatively younger people are succumbing to Covid in the second wave in Himachal Pradesh as the average age of 1,074 persons, who died in the past four weeks, was between 50 and 60.

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An analysis of the Covid-related deaths has revealed that the percentage of men was close to double than that of women, who fell prey to the virus.

As compared to 1,337 (61.2 per cent) men who died due to Covid, the number of women was 848 (38.8 per cent).

Although the average age of people who lost battle to Covid since the outbreak of the pandemic

last year was 62.2 years, in the last four weeks it was 59.6 years.

More than 88 per cent of the mortalities had taken place in people above the age of 45 years.

However, the data established one fact beyond doubt that relatively younger people are dying in the second wave.

Out of the total deaths till date, 1,197 (54.7 per cent) had comorbidities such as diabetes (594), hypertension (528), chronic kidney disease (119) and obstructive pulmonary diseases (89).

The highest number of deaths — amounting to 662 — have taken place in Kangra district, followed by 463 in Shimla district and 265 in Mandi.

“It is probably due to the vaccination drive, under which a majority of those above 60 years of age have been jabbed, that the mortality in the last four weeks has been more in the 50-60 age group,” said Nipun Jindal, Director, National Health Mission.

He said out of the 2,311 fatalities in the state, 1,074 had taken place only in the last four weeks.

“Further, the number of people dying without comorbidities is steadily increasing,” he said.

“This may be due to the fact that the Cocid vaccination drive was prioritised for the people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with comorbidities,” said Jindal. The case fatality rate (CFR) in Himachal Pradesh is 1.42 per cent with districts such as Sirmaur, Shimla, Solan and Mandi having a positivity rate of over 30, which is certainly alarming.