Your Age & COVID-19
The risk of severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, and goes up with each decade after the age of 60. Severe illness includes the need for hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), the need to use a ventilator, and/or possibly death.
In Canada:
Individuals aged 60-69 years old
- Account for 16.6% of COVID-19 related hospitalizations
- Account for 7.3% of COVID-19 related deaths
Individuals aged 70-79 years old
- Account for 20.9% of COVID-19 related hospitalizations
- Account for 18.5% of COVID-19 related deaths
Individuals aged 80+ years old
- Account for 32.9% of COVID-19 related hospitalizations
- Account for 70.6% of COVID-19 related deaths
However,
When looking at the distribution of cases, those who are 60-69 years old account for only 8.5% of cases, those 70-79 years old for 5.2%, and those 80+ years old for 8.5%
This data shows that while contracting and becoming infected may be predominately seen in the younger population (as only 1/4 or 22.2% of cases are 60+ years old), the severity and impact of the illness is increased by age.
Main Point
Those over the age of 60 are particularly at risk for severe illness from COVID-19. As such, this population needs to follow public health guidelines carefully in order to protect themselves from COVID-19.
Sources:
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html
