A cross-sectional study conducted in India among Covid-19 cases has found an increased number of infections among the younger age group of 0-19 years and women, higher mortality rate and more frequent incidences of post-vaccination infections with Delta variant as compared to a non-Variant of Concern lineage. The Covid-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, released by the World Health Organisation (WHO) this week, said a cross-sectional study, which is not yet peer reviewed, focussed on demographic characteristics, including severity of the illness and mortality rate.

It was conducted in India among Covid-19 cases caused by the non-Variant Of Concern (B.1) variant and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2). `Using viral genomic sequences from 9,500 Covid-19 patients, the study found an increased number of infections among younger age groups (0-19 years) and women, a lower mean age for infection and symptomatic illness/hospitalisation, higher mortality and more frequent incidences of post-vaccination infections with Delta variant compared to the non-VOC (B.1) variant,` the WHO update said.