COVID deaths among doctors higher in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh: Report
By Sumit Jha Published on 10 Oct 2020 6:37 AM GMT
Hyderabad: A study has revealed that the case fatality rate (CFR) among doctors in relation to the general population is comparatively higher in India.
A total of 382 COVID-related deaths and 2,174 infections were reported amongst doctors in India till September 10. The CFR was 16.7 per cent, which was ten times higher. The average CFR among doctors is of 1.7 per cent in the general population.
Authored by two researchers, Aanandita Kapoor from The International School, Bangalore, and Dr Krishan Mohan Kapoor from Fortis Hospital, Mohali, studied the data of the doctors who died due to COVID19 infection. The list was compiled by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), the top body of doctors practising allopathic medicine.
India is the second country after the US with the most number of COVID-19 cases. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused high mortality not only among patients but also among health care providers.
The highest COVID-19 related deaths among doctors were recorded in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.
Among the practising doctors, excluding the resident doctors and house surgeons, the CFR was 36.4 per cent, which is almost 22 times more than what was seen in the general population of India.
The average age of COVID-related deaths in Indian doctors was 60.8 years with a median age of 60 years. 62 per cent of deaths among doctors were in the age group of above 60 years. The age group of the deceased doctors was between 24 and 88 years. The percentage of deaths below 30 years was 1 per cent, below 40 years was 5.8 per cent, below 50 years it was 11.8 per cent. The percentage of deaths below 60 years of age was 38 per cent, while 62 per cent of doctors who died were above 60.
The maximum number of deceased doctors was general practitioners 225 (58.9%). Among the specialists, most deaths were seen in paediatricians 26 (6.8%), medical specialists 24 (6.3%), general surgeons 22 (5.8%), obstetricians & gynaecologists 16 (4.2%), and anesthesiologists 14 (3.7%).
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