Nagpur: More males were infected and more also died compared to females in Covid-19 pandemic in the
district. Even the case fatality rate (CFR) is higher in males compared to the fairer sex.
Data released by the district office of Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) said there were 90,675 positive cases and 2,947 deaths in the district as on October 18. Of total positive cases, 54,803 (60.47%) were
men and 35,845 (39.53) were
women, a huge difference.
The ratio differs in age-wise male and female
patients. In age group of 0-15 years, 55.55% were male and remaining 44.45% female. Ratio of men in age group of 16-30 years was 56.94% whereas 43.06% for the fairer sex. Huge difference is in age group of above 31 years.
Here, 62.24% were male and 37.76% were female in age group of 31-50 years. Above 51 years’ age group, 62.21% patients were men and remaining 37.79% were women.
NMC additional municipal commissioner Ram Joshi, who has been working in Covid-19 for last seven months, told TOI, “There are many factors behind men contracting the disease more than women. It is seen that more men came out in full lockdown and unlock period than women, due to job, business, purchasing essentials or non-essential products etc.”
He said most families preferred women to be indoors in the pandemic. The difference was even clearly seen in labour class, where both males and females usually work. “Immunity levels of males are said to be weaker than females due to various things. In gender-wise comparison, women take more care of their hygiene than men. Women are also very sensitive towards changes in their health compared to men and take various of precaution. Also, social factor of male exposure being more than females,” he said.
The ratio of the state is more or less similar to that of the district. In state, 61% of total positive patients were male and remaining 39% were female.
In Covid-19 deaths, the difference between male and female is even higher. Among 2,947 deceased, 2,061 (69.94%) were male and remaining 886 (30.06%) were female.
So, in males, 2,061 of 54,830 infected died for a CFR of 3.76%. CFR is 2.47% in females with 886 of 35,845 infected dying.
Infectious diseases specialist Dr Nitin Shinde told TOI, “Overall
immunity level in women is better than men. T cell immunity level in females is higher than males. This type of immunity is first responder in the
infection of novel coronavirus. T cell response of men in their 30s and 40s is equivalent to that of a woman in her 90s.”
Dr Shinde added most women respond better even if they have severe diseases. “In Covid-19, fewer of them tend to have long haul,” he said.
Joshi said, “Comorbidities, especially diabetes, hyper tension and obesity, which are very dangerous in Covid-19 are also higher in males than females. Lifestyle of females is better than males when it comes to eating and drinking habits.”