Half of infected under 40 years: Govt

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 6

More than seven in every 10 Covid-19 cases and nearly as many deaths involve men and half of all infections have so far occurred in people under 40 years of age.

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The government’s first analysis of gender, age and mortality trends of the viral disease progression in the country shows 76 per cent of all current 4,281 cases and 73 per cent of all 111 deaths as of today involve men.

Women represent 24 per cent of the national case load and 27 per cent of the overall mortality, indicating lesser vulnerability.

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Covid cases, meanwhile, continued to rise through Monday as these reached 4,281, marking a record single-day increase of 907 cases.

Deaths rose by record 32 to 111, from 79 on Sunday afternoon, representing the highest single-day rise in mortality since the outbreak in the country on January 30. In positive news, 318 persons have been cured and discharged.

Ministry spokesperson Lav Agarwal said 47 per cent of all infections in the country had happened in people below 40.

“Around 34 per cent of cases involve 40 to 60 year olds and 19 per cent are in the age segment above 60 years. On mortality, 63 per cent deaths are in 60 plus people; 30 per cent in 40 to 60 year olds and seven per cent in persons below 40 years,” said Agarwal.

A key determinant of mortality in Covid cases — for old and young alike — is the presence of comorbid conditions. Data analysis shows in 86 per cent of all deaths, people have had underlying disease burden of diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease or heart conditions.

“The elderly account for 19 per cent of all cases but 63 cent of all deaths. Even among the young who have died, the presence of pre-existing diseases was seen. Youngsters with comorbid conditions must maintain social distance within their houses to ensure the elders are not infected,” Agarwal warned.