Covid: Diabetes, hypertension combo proves especially deadly shows data from Delhi

In Delhi, Covid deaths are categorised such by a Death Audit Committee set up in April. Not all those who died and tested positive for Covid are categorised as Covid deaths. The committee takes a call on how deaths are categorised. Several countries across the world have reported higher mortality among men as compared to women. This trend is visible in Delhi as well. Of the 5,283 deaths for which data is available, two thirds, or 66 %, are male. The higest number of deaths – 2,697 – was seen in people between the ages of 51 and 70, data shows. Of those who succumbed to the disease, co-morbidities were present in a over half the people. The age group for which co-morbid conditions were the smallest fraction of the total deaths was 21 to 30. Of the 179 people belonging to this age group who died, only 36 per cent had any comorbidity. It was highest in the 71 and above age group, where 60% of those who died had co-morbid conditions.

“The data clearly show diabetes and hypertension are the two diseases, which are also very common in the population, forming the high-risk group. If you look at most common co-morbid conditions, these are in the top four. This is why in our messaging, we have been clear about highlighting the role of these conditions, along with the risk that comes with age,” said a senior government official involved with Covid strategy planning.