DDGHS warns COVID deaths among young will increase in coming weeks

By Rathindra Kuruwita

COVID deaths among the youth could increase in the coming weeks if Omicron kept spreading at the current rate, Deputy Director General of Health Services, Dr. Hemantha Herath, told the media yesterday.

“Right now, most people who are affected are relatively young people who are double jabbed. Most young people have good immunity. However, as more and more people get infected, those with non-communicable diseases and weak immune systems will become more vulnerable. And these people will have severe symptoms, they will have to be hospitalised,” Dr. Herath warned.

DDGHS pointed out that even among young people, there was a small minority that had chronic diseases or non-communicable diseases and they were at risk of developing complications.

“That is why we should try to contain the spread of Omicron. People now know a lot about the virus, how it spreads and what needs to be done to minimize its spread. They must follow health guidelines, get vaccinated and self-isolate in case of contracting Covid-19.