Half of India’s COVID deaths in 10 pc population, country far away from peak: Govt

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 2

Half of all the 5,394 COVID-19 linked deaths in India have occurred in 10 per cent of the population group.

The latest analysis of mortality by the government shows that there have been 38 per cent deaths in the 60 to 74 year age group which makes up 8 per cent of the total population.

Likewise, 12 per cent deaths have happened in the 75 plus age people who account for only two per cent of the population. “This brings us to the conclusion that the 60 plus population group remains at high risk and needs special care. We have again found that in 73 per cent deaths there were co morbid conditions and pre-existing burden of diabetes, hypertension, respiratory illness and heart conditions,” Health Ministry spokesperson Lav Agarwal said as India’s daily case load grew by 8,170 cases to touch 1.98 lakh.

The government advised precautions of masks, hand hygiene and physical distancing and said India’s COVID mortality is among the lowest in the world.

As against global case fatality rate of 6.9 per cent India’s rate is just 2.8 per cent. It has reduced from 3.30 per cent on April 15.

Recovery rate has similarly improved from 11.42 per cent on April 15 to 48.07 per cent today.

Out of total 1.98 lakh cases currently 97,581 are active and 95,526 have been discharged.

The government also said India’s performance should be seen in terms of its population.

Fourteen nations which have the population equal to India have 22.5 per cent more cases than us and 55.2 times more deaths, Agarwal said.

ICMR said India was far from the disease peak due to the preventive measures that were taken.

“You will know where we stand once the results of ICMR launched community survey is out next week,” said the council.

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