Co-morbid conditions in COVID-19 patients in Uttarakhand state of India

Abstract

India reported its first case of corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) on 30 January 2020, a disease which by 2 November 2020 had infected 9 139 865 people and claimed the lives of 133 738 people nationwide (www.mohfw.gov.in). Almost all states are reeling under the effect of COVID-19, some experiencing more distress than others. A larger number of deaths had been attributed to co-morbid conditions all over the world and same is the case for India. Uttarakhand state lies in northern Himalayan region of India and has reported 71 256 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 1155 deaths till 22 November 2020 [1]. We analysed the data from reported cases of deaths in COVID-19 patients as recorded by the Uttarakhand state on its official website of Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare (www.health.uk.gov.in) till 2 October 2020 to find out the major co-morbid conditions for these patients. Uttarakhand reported 636 deaths by 2 October 2020, out of which cause of death was mentioned for 625 cases. As seen in COVID-19 related mortalities, in other countries, diabetes remained the major cause of co-morbidity followed by kidney related diseases, hypertension and cancer.