Is Ageing The Only Major Risk Factor For COVID-19 Mortality?

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is accelerating, governments are on high alert, warning the general public to observe social distancing measures 1 . The restrictions are getting very stringent as the case fatality rates is steadily increasing (1%), which is apparently much higher than seasonal influenza (0.1%) 1,5 . Among the populations who are highest at risk of infection are older adults (over 65 years of age) 1,2 . However, there is still a misconception harboured by the masses that ageing is a major risk factor for COVID-19 mortality.

In this article, we discuss the risk factors associated with COVID-19, and draw out facts to address the aforementioned myth. Even though the older population remain to be the most vulnerable group, they are not the only ones susceptible to COVID-19 1,2 . According to Central for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and available…