One in five people worldwide at risk of severe Covid: Study

June 16, 2020 15:55

As many as one in five people globally have underlying medical conditions that put them at an increased risk of severe COVID-19, according to a study which may help develop strategies to shield the most vulnerable individuals.

The study, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health, noted that 1.7 billion people across the world, comprising 22 per cent of the global population, have at least one underlying condition that puts them at increased risk of severe COVID-19 if infected. These people range from less than 5 per cent of those younger than 20 years to greater than 66 per cent among those aged 70 years or older, the study noted.

Researchers, including those from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine in the UK, said 349 million people (about 4 per cent of the global population) are at high risk of severe COVID-19, and would require hospital admission if infected. They said as much as 6 per cent of males could be at high risk compared with 3 per cent of females.

According to the researchers, the share of the population at increased risk was highest in countries with older populations, African countries with high HIV/AIDS prevalence, and small island nations with high diabetes prevalence.

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