By Mahima Devkota, Kathmandu, Apr. 24: The second wave of COVID-19 that stated since first of April in Nepal has hit hardest the youths in the age group 21-40 accounting for nearly 57 per cent of cases of newly infected.

The 31-40 age group occupies 28.44 per cent share while the 21-30 age-group covers 28.13 per cent in the total number of the infected with the new variant so far.

According to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), there are a total of 4,188 of COVID-19 infection in age group 31-40 out of 14,724 new active cases since the second wave hit.

Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, MoHP spokesperson, informed the TRN Online that the working population (mainly 31-40) has been more exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 as there is compulsion to go out for work.

"The 'UK Variant' is also much more aggressive because of which even the youths of the country, who were deemed in less risk category in the first wave, have been infected by the virus," he added.

After the age group 31-40, the second highest COVID-19 infection is found in the 21-30 age group accounting for 28.13 per cent. Whilst, the aged population, 61-70 age groups comprises only 7.65 percent, 71-80 age group holds 3.54 percent and 80 plus age group holds 1.20 percent.

According to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, there are currently, 292,152 confirmed cases, of them, 14,724 are active cases. The recovery rate stands at 276,345, which equals to 94.6 percent. The fatality rate is 1.1 percent and percentage of the active cases is 4.3.  

Dr. Krishna Paudel, director of the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division, said the record shows that the age group 31-40 holds the highest number of COVID-19 cases.

Dr. Paudel added that even the youths are now gasping for the oxygen, unlike the first wave where the aged and people with morbidities were in the spectrum.

More youths have been steeping outside of home because of employment and as a result they are more exposed to the virus and are getting attacked by it. 

There are a total of 368 COVID-19 cases in age- group 0-10, 1,458 in age group 11-20, 4,143 in age-group 21-30, 4,188 in age group 31-40, 3,098 in age- group 41-50, 2,141 in age-group 51-60, 1,127 in age –group 61-70, 522 in age group 71-80 and 178 in the 80 plus age group.

The total number of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests conducted so far is 2,379,402.