Elderly still most vulnerable to Covid: Corpn data

‘EARLY DETECTION IS ONLY WAY OUT’

Elderly still most vulnerable to Covid: Corpn data

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:22.04.2021

Youngsters in the city seem to be showing more symptoms during the second wave of Covid-19, but Greater Chennai Corporation data shows there is still high incidence among elders who remain the most vulnerable.

In January, when cases were less than 100 per day about 80 of them were elderly followed by the 41-60 age group and the 21-40 group. On March 26, nearly 200 cases a day were of the elderly who account for more than 600 cases a day in April. “Among the others, nearly 450 are between 41 and 60 years and 350-400 are aged between 21 and 40,” said an official. Corporation commissioner G Prakash said people with symptoms such as fever, uneasiness, cough or cold should inform surveillance workers.

“Early detection is the only way out. We have opened 12 screening centres and have set up free testing centres in 30 locations. We also have 12,600 beds ready in Covid care centers,” he said after opening a 900-bed centre at Anna University.

This year, a Saveetha medical college and hospital doctor said, patients in category B (symptoms with comorbidities) and category C (requiring oxygen) were higher than those in category A (asymptomatic) and that most were in the 30-50 age group. “More youngsters are showing symptoms. Also, their recovery time is longer. So discharges are getting delayed.”

A corporation official said many young patients seemed asymptomatic, but CT scans showed mild to moderate infections. “Earlier, we didn’t do CT scans for the asymptomatic. This year, evaluation is mandatory for home isolation and we find complications in youngsters,” he said.

Corporation deputy commissioner (health) Alby John said incidence of cases and not prevalence should be considered. “Elderly are the most vulnerable and we have ensured deaths are fewer this year through enhanced surveillance and early treatment.”

An analysis of data between March 4, 2021 and April 21, 2021, showed that the share of men in the 13-60 age group of total positive cases dropped from 50% to 49% and for women from 32.8% to 32.6%. In 60-plus group, it increased from 8.6% to 8.8% in men and from 4.9% to 5.1% in women.