In Patiala, Covid hits middle-aged the most

Karam Prakash

Tribune News Service

Patiala, September 1

According to the data of the Health Department, of the 6,438 Covid cases reported from Patiala so far, only 457 are below the age of 15 and 679 are above 60, which means that the virus has hit the middle-aged the most.

Health experts have been saying that elderly people are at higher risk of contracting the Covid-19 infection due to their decreased immunity and bodily reserves. Moreover, comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are supposed to be more prevalent in elderly.

However, in Patiala, only 7 per cent Covid cases are below 15 years and 10 per cent are above the age of 60.

Terming the trend a positive sign, the district epidemiologist, Dr Sumeet, said less elderly people and children had tested positive for the virus in the district because their movement was restricted and, therefore, direct exposure to the virus was limited. “Children are at home as schools are closed. Also, elderly are staying indoors. This is a positive sign. Our target was also to curb the spread of the virus in high-risk age groups.”

Meanwhile, people in the age group of 16-30 and 31-45 are the worst affected in the district. The data revealed that 30.27 per cent cases are in the age group of 31-45, while 28.26 per cent are in the age group 16-30.

Health experts said the infection rate was high in both age groups (16-30 and 31-45) as most of the working class lied between these two age brackets. “Most of the cases are reported from occupation sites. Therefore, the working class is worst-hit,” a health expert said.

On the same grounds, the infection rate is higher among the male population. Of the total cases, the infection among males is 64 per cent against 36 per cent in females.