70% of patients below 50 years are COVID-19 infected; 1% of children

COVID-19 AGE GROUP

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A majority of the COVID-19 infected persons currently undergoing treatment at government hospitals are below 50 years.

Additional Superintendent of Kalapahar Covid Care Hospital Dr RaktimTamuly told The Sentinel on Thursday that 70% of the total patients at his hospital are below 50 years of age. He said many young people are roaming around in the city for various purposes without adhering to the COVID safety protocols and such casual behaviour must have resulted in large-scale infection among the younger people. Around 140 patients are undergoing treatment at Kalpahar COVID Care Hospital here in the city.

"We are treating patients who are between 32 and 42 years of age. Many patients are getting admitted to the hospital when their COVID-19 symptoms worsen. The cause of worry for us is that the condition of patients deteriorates fast this year in comparison to the last year when the first wave of COVID-19 infection hit the State," Dr Tamuly said. He said one per cent out of the total infected persons is children.

Dr Tamuly, who has been closely associated with COVID-19 treatment and care since April 2020, said red eye, pain in the ears and dry tongue are some of the new symptoms of COVID-19 infection.

"The best way to deal with the second wave of COVID infection is to avoid the crowded place, wearing masks and taking the vaccines. Many people were not serious about taking COVID vaccines just before the Rongali Bihu infection. Vaccination might be one of the reasons for less number of elderly persons getting infected this time," Dr Tamuly said.

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