RANCHI: The 15-30 age group was mostly infected with Covid-19 in Ranchi between May and July when the fourth wave of the pandemic was raging across Jharkhand, according to the state health department’s data.
As per the district health authorities’ records, 32% of the total number of infected patients in Ranchi during May-July were between 15 and 30 years. This was followed by the 31-45 age group which comprised 25% of the infected population. Those aged 60 and above comprised 16% while those aged 14 and below made up only 4% of the total number of cases.
“The 15-30 age group comprises the working population, which is always on the move, often through crowded places. In such a situation, social distancing goes for a toss and that could explain why that population was infected the most,” Ranchi civil surgeon Dr Vinod Kumar said.
Last week, the department of genetics and genomics at the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences had released a report on their second batch of Covid-19 samples that had gone for genome sequencing and it was found that the increase in the infection rate during June and July was caused by the ‘Centaurus’ sub-variant of the Omicron (BA.2.7) variant. Experts believe that this sub-variant will be responsible for further waves in the state and in the country.
On Monday, the active caseload in Ranchi was 57, a massive decrease from August 17 when it was 113. The total number of active cases throughout the state stands at 370, with the lion’s share being in East Singhbhum (100), followed by Ramgarh (62) and Ranchi. As of Sunday, the state reported 21 fresh cases.
Meanwhile, the coverage rate of the precautionary dose continues to be dismal. According to the state health department records, 50% of health workers and 40% of the frontline staff have taken the precautionary dose till now. In the 60 plus category, a mere 8% have taken the booster jab.
Meanwhile, 100% of the 18 plus age group has taken the first dose while 75% has taken both. Sixty-four percent of the 15-17 age group has taken the first dose but only 39% has taken both the doses. Sixty-percent of those between the 12-14 age group has taken the first dose while only 29% has taken both.
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