Comorbidities and COVID: A much higher risk of death

Dr Khan examines the underlying health conditions that cause severe illness in COVID patients.

While some countries are vaccinating their way out of the COVID-19 pandemic and are starting to see an easing of restrictions, other countries in South Asia are experiencing a new wave of infections that are causing devastation to their populations and healthcare systems. Those most at risk of developing severe complications – and even of dying – as a result of the virus remain the most vulnerable members of our societies. Age remains the biggest risk factor for becoming seriously ill with COVID-19, with more than 80 percent of COVID deaths occurring in people over the age of 65. As we get older, our muscles become weaker and the anatomy of our lungs changes. This causes them to become less efficient when it comes to moving air and mucus out of the body, resulting in a lowering of the defence system that our lungs and immune systems can provide.