Coronavirus: Middle-aged males with pre-existing conditions are most at risk of infection

No one is immune to diseases like the coronavirus, but some demographics are known to be the most at risk. A new report reveals that a certain demographic has a high risk of getting infected by the current pandemic.

The number of cases of people who are infected with the new strain of coronavirus has since skyrocketed drastically since the outbreak in December. This leaves countries outside China to impose travel bans or implement tighter security measures, especially towards those who are coming from any region of China as of late. Express reports that even though everyone is at risk, Chinese health authorities found that a certain demographic is more at risk of getting sick from the virus.

They found that males were more susceptible to the virus than females. Their research showed that 68 percent of the cases of the coronavirus were males. As to why males were more susceptible has yet to be determined, one theory seems to suggest that it may be because of the X chromosome and sex hormones that would make females be less likely to get infected. It should be noted that the chromosomes and sex hormones play a significant part in the body’s adaptive immunity.

The researchers also found that those who get infected happen to be middle-aged, with the average age being 55.5 years as well as having pre-existing conditions or chronic diseases that can affect the body’s immune system. Despite this demographic, everyone in China, including the countries affected, is taking serious measures in prevention as well as efforts in containing the virus.

BBC reports that health workers in Hong Kong are urging the government to close off the border with mainland China to prevent further transmission of the coronavirus. There are 15 cases of the coronavirus in Hong Kong as of late, and while the government has already suspended ferry and rail services, health workers want to close the border completely for the time being.

However, the authorities have said that closing the border completely would be going against the advice of the World Health Organization. According to Hospital Authority Employees Alliance chairwoman Winnie Yu, “If there is no full border closure, there won’t be enough manpower, protective equipment, or isolation rooms, to combat the outbreak.”