In second wave, mortality rate higher among people below 50

Sushil Manav

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 7

Hospitalisation and deaths of younger people are surging as the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic accelerates across the state. The number of patients without any comorbidity is also higher.

According to the health bulletin, of 14 persons reported to have died due to Covid in Hisar today, four were below the age of 50. Among the victims was a 11-year-old girl, who did not have any co-morbidities.

Yesterday, four out of 12 deaths victims in the district were below the age of 50, while May 5, two out of 12 who succumbed to the virus were aged 24 and 26. None of them had co-morbidities.

Among seven victims in Sirsa yesterday, four were below the age of 50. On May 5, a 15-year-old boy without co-morbidities was among five victims below the age of 50.

The weekly Covid status report issued by the state Health Department shows that of 4,486 persons who died of Covid-19 in thestate till May 2, 21 per cent (951) did not have any underlying medical conditions or co-morbidities.

Of the total victims, 637 were in the 45-54 age group, 356 in the 35-44 age group, 170 in the 25-34 age group, 51 in the 15-24 age group, six in the 5-14 age group and 14 below the age of 5.

In certain villages of Rohtak, Sonepat and Hisar and other districts where 25 to 30 deaths due to influenza-like illness without testing have been reported, the number of young people is worrisome, says residents.

Dr Dhruv Chaudhary, head of the pulmonary department of the PGIMS-Rohtak, said the deaths of young people and those without co-morbidities were more in the second wave than in the first one.

On the issue of deaths of people without co-morbidities, Dr Chaudhary said the UK mutant variant, which was active in the state, was infectious and lethal.