India COVID-19 death rate lower than many developed nations, say experts

NEW DELHI : Despite India reporting nearly 200 COVID-19 deaths in last one month, the country's death rate of about 3% is lower than the global rate, and also much lower than several European countries like the UK, Italy and Spain, according to some medical experts. Suggesting that a relatively young Indian population may be one of the reasons for the low mortality rate due to the pandemic, experts have attributed the high number of fatalities in countries like Italy and Spain to their elderly population which are more susceptible to developing complications after contracting the infection. Dr Ravi Shekhar Jha, Senior Consultant and Head of the Department, Pulmonology, Fortis Escorts Faridabad, said in Italy, Spain and the US, "older population has been affected more compared to India where the fatalities have been less, perhaps because our population is fairly young". Jha also attributed an early and strict lockdown in India as one of the reasons that may have helped in containing the COVID-19 cases. Jha lauded Germany for being able to keep the death rate from coronavirus very low, because of its "excellent healthcare system". Dr Rommel Tickoo, associate Director, internal medicine, Max healthcare, agreed with Jha, saying Germany has been able to keep the fatalities on lower side with their good healthcare system. "Two reasons can be attributed to less deaths in India--- firstly, the high-risk group of people aged 60 and above being affected less compared to in Europe and the US, and secondly, less severity of the virus in India," he told PTI. Earlier this week, the health ministry had said people aged below 40 years account for 47% of the total confirmed cases, those between 40 and 60 for 34%, and those aged 60 years and above account for 19%. Dr Rajesh Chawla, a pulmonologist at Apollo Hospital, also feels India having a relatively younger population compared to the Europe could be a reason for less fatalities in the country. "Also, the 18-60 is an active age group compared to people who are 60 years and older, many of whom have comorbid conditions.