At 416, Patiala district sees max Covid fatalities in May

Tribune News Service

Patiala, May 29

With an average of 15 Covid deaths daily, the month of May proved to be the deadliest for Patiala district since the pandemic broke out last year.

Of 1,199 deaths since the virus emerged, the district recorded 416 Covid fatalities in May. As per the Health Department data, the district had recorded 196 Covid deaths last month.

Only 34 person in the 15-30 age group have died of Covid while the count is only three for those below 14 years.

Patiala Civil Surgeon Dr Satinder Singh said there was no doubt that the second wave was deadlier than the first one. “The second wave was obviously deadlier because the virus had mutated. Moreover, Covid had entered the hinterland during the second wave.”

Meanwhile, Dr Sumeet Singh, District Epidemiologist, said: “In the second wave, youngsters, especially in the 20-35 age group, fell prey to the virus. This was not prevalent in the first wave. “

Health officials said around 54 per cent Covid deaths took place within the first 24 hours of hospitalisation while 21 per cent had died within 48 hours of admission. It has been learned that Covid patients, especially from the rural areas, were reaching hospital at a critical stage. Health experts said Covid patients, who reached the hospital at a very late stage, had a poor survival rate. Of the total Covid deaths so far, 864 died at the government health institution while 275 at private hospitals.

45-75 age group worst hit so far

Health officials said the 45-75 age group had been the worst hit so far. Around 860 deaths had been recorded in this age group.