The Health Ministry has now confirmed that they have so far reported 52 deaths that they have determined to be related to COVID-19 in this third wave.
A statement by the Health Ministry says 50 people have died either at home, on the way to a health facility or on arrival at the health facility.
The other 2 died within 24 hours of arrival at the health facility.
It has also been confirmed that 45 of the deaths had significant co-morbidities. Of the 7 with no co-morbidity, 6 were 60 to 92 years old and 1 was 21 years old.
The Health Ministry says as experienced in the second wave, adverse health-seeking behaviour and significant co-morbidities remain the main contributing factor.
It says due to the protection afforded by the vaccination program, the reported deaths have been much less compared to the previous wave and the deaths have been mostly in individuals with high medical risk and who have died, either at home, on the way to the hospital or within a few days of admission.
The 21-year-old who died from COVID-19 in this third wave did not have any comorbidities, however, he, unfortunately, died at home.
The Health Ministry says these two factors also make it difficult to narrate more precisely the extent to which COVID-19 contributes to the death of patients.
It stresses that vaccines are 80% protective against severe disease and death not 100% and as such, if community transmission is high enough, rare outcomes will be more visible.
The severe symptoms to look out for are: having trouble breathing (shortness of breath or difficulty breathing), ongoing chest pain, severe headache, confusion, inability to stay awake or wake up, pale, grey or blue coloured skin, lips or fingernails, worsening weakness, coughing blood.
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