At 65%, Covid infection rate among males double than women in Punjab
23% of all cases belong to people between 21 and 30; nearly 58% confirmed patients are aged below 40
AMRITSAR: The rate of coronavirus infection among the males is nearly double than the women in Punjab, according to the data till July 18 compiled by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
As per the data accessed by Hindustan Times, of the confirmed Covid cases in the state, 65.1% were men while women accounted for only 34.8%of the infections.
Health experts say as men are supposed to venture out in harness, the rate of contracting infection among them is more.
As per the state health department media bulletin, 9,792 people in Punjab tested positive for the Covid-19 till July 18.
“Men are more mobile as compared to the women in Punjab. It is very likely that they are contracting the virus while venturing out for their routine work. Men should take extra precautions as they can spread the virus among their family members,” said Amardeep Singh Cheema, chairman of Punjab Health Systems Corporation (PHSC).
69.1% CASES IN STATE ASYMPTOMATIC
As per the ICMR data, 69.1% cases in Punjab were asymptomatic, which has increased the worries of the health department.
“High number of asymptomatic people is dangerous as they would roam around freely and may spread the virus,” Cheema said. Only 16% Covid-19 patients in Punjab are symptomatic, while 14.9% patients are asymptomatic, but they have symptoms of other diseases.
As per the government’s media bulletin on July 22, state’s Covid patient tally stood at 11,301 and death toll was 269.
The main reason behind more infection rate among males as compared to woman is that they venture out of their homes more frequently
DR RAJESH BHASKAR, nodal officer for Covid-19