60+ people still most vulnerable to COVID-19

Even as Covid-19 cases are again rising across the country, the impact of the disease and the risk of death due to the infection on different age groups and gender remain unchanged since December, official data showed.People above 60+ most vulnerable with 55% mortality reported among them, even though they account for 14% of positive cases, the latest analysis of age-wise data for infected cases and mortality from Covid-19 showed.Death share is also high among those between 45-60 years, contributing 33% of total Covid-19 fatality and 26% of cases so far.Cumulatively, those above 45 account for 88% of total deaths due to Covid-19, an important reason that has prompted the government to open up Covid vaccination for everyone in this age category. Studies indicate that while the available jabs may not always prevent the disease, it reduces severity and the risk of death.The incidence of the infection is still high in the age band of 18-44 years with 52% of positive cases. However, only 11% of total deaths are in this age bracket. Experts say the high number of cases is possibly because this is the working age population that is more likely to go out and, therefore, are likely spreaders too.The share of positive cases is higher among men compared to women. Men accounted for 63% of total cases and 70% of deaths due to Covid-19.Five states — Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh and Punjab — account for almost 79% of the total 5.84 lakh active cases.

from Economic Times https://ift.tt/31HJ5Zf