Unlocking woes: Covid-19 infection rate increases in 31-40 age group

People in the age group of 31-40 years are more vulnerable to the Covid-19 infections as their percentage in the cases is highest at 21.34% among all age groups. The percentage of infection in the age group increased after unlocking was rolled out as more number of people from the group stepped out for jobs and business.

Maharashtra has reported 14,43409 Covid-19 cases and 38084 fatalities till Sunday evening. The highest percentage of the infected people is from the age group of 21-30 years, followed by 41-50 years (17.90%), 21-30 years (16.98%), and 51-60 years (15.95%), according to the data released by Medical Education and Drugs Department of the state government.

The analytical data shows that the percentage of the population in 31-40 years increased gradually over the last couple of months after the activities were opened up by the authorities. The percentage of the infection four months ago on June 4 was 20.54%, which increased to 20.74% on August 04 and dropped to 21.14% on September 4.

“Major activities including inter-district movement, rise in the office workforce, commercial, commercial activities were opened up in the first week of September. It led to the sudden spurt in the number of patients from the age group over the last one month. The  awareness among people has set the mindset for the families that the youngsters from the families will step out while elderly people will sit at home,” said an official from the health department.

Interestingly, the infections among the people in the age groups 41-50 and 51-60 yrs has declined gradually. From 18.03% on June 04, it has dropped to 17.9% in 41-50 yrs group and from 16.69 it has come down to 15.95%  in 51-60 yrs group during this period. Surprisingly, there is a decline in the percentage of infection in 21-30 years age group too. From 19.55% on June 4, it has dropped to 16.98% on October 4 and the decline is attributed to closure of schools, colleges and high awareness in the youngsters. The infection rate in 61-70 and 71-80 years groups increased over the period from 9.72% to 10.63% and from 4.19 to 5.02% respectively during this period.

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“The rise in the percentage of infection in 31-40 years is because of their mobility for the sake of jobs and other activities after unlocking was rolled out. Positive part of it is that the age group can sustain the infection and comes out faster out of it. It also helps to develop herd immunity and increase the percentage of the people with positive antibodies. Though the percentage of infection is high in the age group, the mortality rate is low,” said Dr Pradeep Awate, state surveillance officer.