Younger population in Bengaluru is now testing Covid positive

Bengaluru: Even though the elderly and those with underlying health issues are at a higher risk of getting infected by Covid-19, the second wave in the city has a new dimension. The average age of the people who are testing positive in Bengaluru has dropped to 36 years.

This has become an issue of major concern as the government and health experts are struggling to keep the health infrastructure stable.

On observing the 1.1 lakh cases reported since the start of the second wave, it is revealed that 50% of them in the city are below 40 years. The majority of this group are between 20 and 29 years of age.

Data trackers in the BBMP Covid War Room say, “In the first wave, high-risk groups were senior citizens and those with comorbidities, but that has changed. The younger population is at risk too.”

“The Covid trajectory is definitely seeing a shift from the elderly to the young. There could be many reasons for this: One, the young are moving around and their exposure to the virus is highest. Two, they are yet to be protected by vaccination. Three, they might not be following Covid-appropriate behaviour after the number of cases began declining”, said Dr Giridhara R Babu, epidemiologist and member of the state’s Covid technical advisory committee.

Most of the patients are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, but there have also been cases of serious infection and deaths among patients in the twenties. The young Covid-19 patients are also complaining of extreme fatigue, shortness of breath and chest infection apart from regular symptoms.

Health department officials said, “Unlike the past where it was feared the young would transmit the virus to the elderly, we are now seeing more youngsters themselves seeking hospitalisation and oxygen support.” Dr Ravindra Mehta said, “This is a different mutant and has a different impact. The affliction varies according to the age and group of the infected. In the second wave, the virus has a predilection to the earlier age group.”

Health Minister, K Sudhakar is of the view that youngsters should not be dismissive of the virus because it is still not clear how a person’s immunity system reacts when infected and what the severity would be. He also warned that the health infrastructure would be filled if more youngsters seek hospitalisation.

“This is just the beginning of the second wave. It is not even the peak and finding beds in Bengaluru is becoming a challenge. It will become tougher if more younger people start making a beeline for hospital beds”, Dr Babu added.