Over 50% of Covid cases in the 25-50 years age group
Ahmedabad: More than half of the total Covid-positive cases in Gujarat — over 700 identified so far — were recorded in the 25 to 50 years age group, or the 'working age group', state health department officials have said.
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About 10% of the cases were among infants under one year of age, according to govt data. Officials also said that the number of senior citizens in recent cases is relatively very low.
Health experts pointed out that three patients who died of Covid — all from Ahmedabad — were women aged 18, 20 and 47 years. "No definite pattern is emerging yet, as cases are under control and the administration is keeping a close watch on the trends.
Medical facilities are equipped to tackle any rise in cases. So far, hospitalization rate is about 5%," said a senior health department official.
According to Gujarat govt's bulletin, in the 24 hours ending 5pm on Thursday, Gustate added 167 cases, taking the tally of active cases to 615. Of these, 15 are hospitalised. No new deaths were reported. Gujarat ranked fifth in active cases, after 1,487 in Kerala, 562 in Delhi, 538 in West Bengal and 526 in Maharashtra.
According to data, in seven cases of death recorded in India, patients had comorbidities such as seizure, pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart and kidney disease, hypertension, respiratory failure and cancer among others.
Experts said that in the new cases, a large number of patients complain about myalgia (severe muscle pain), high-grade fever and diarrhoea, with rare cases of loss of smell and taste. Dr Maharshi Desai, an internal medicine specialist, said there has been a steady flow of patients with flu-like symptoms, and chances are high that some may have Covid.
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"Not all undergo testing, as treatment is primarily symptoms-based.
Those with existing medical and immune-compromised conditions should be tested," he said.
"Flu-like symptoms are most common. There is no need to panic, as reporting is very low at the community level. After vaccinations and herd immunity, chances of widespread disease are low. Even cough and cold bouts often last for a week," said Dr Vijay Maurya, former president of Ahmedabad Family Physicians' Association.
Changing symptoms, first two days crucial
Medical experts say that among the tell-tale signs of Covid infection are high-grade fever with severe body ache and headache for the first 24 to 48 hours. Treating physicians generally provide symptom-based medication. The majority of the patients indicated flu-like symptoms such as cough, cold, runny nose, sore throat, etc. Very few cases recorded respiratory distress — something which was seen in the first and second waves of the pandemic.
Only a few patients admitted to the hospital have needed oxygen support, they said. Very young children are primarily with their mothers and are provided symptom-based treatment. Few cases turned critical, and the majority showed improvement after 24 to 48 hours, they added.
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