27/05/2022
According to the Report on Medical Certification of Cause of Death 2020', prepared by India's Registrar General and Census Commissioner, COVID-19, which hit the country in that year, claimed nearly nine per cent of the lives -- 1,60,618 people.
Heart diseases, pneumonia, and asthma together claimed highest number of lives -- over 42 per cent -- of the total 81.15 lakh medically certified deaths registered in the country in 2020. While diseases of circulatory system claimed 32.1 per cent lives, respiratory system related diseases took 10 per cent.
Those who died due to diseases of pulmonary circulation and other forms of heart diseases and ischemic heart diseases were categorised as deaths due to 'diseases of circulatory system'. Deaths from pneumonia, asthma, and related diseases were termed as deaths due to the 'diseases of respiratory system.
Male and female constituted 64 per cent and 36 per cent respectively of the total medically certified death. The highest number of deaths (5,17,678 or 28.6 per cent of total medically certified deaths) were reported for the age-group 70 years and above. For the age-groups of 45 years and above, diseases of circulatory system (heart diseases) were the first leading cause of death.