among people with chronic diseases: HPB Director

• 2,261 (53%) deaths were from people suffering from diabetes
• 2,202 (52%) were among those suffering from high blood pressure
• Some 445 Covid deaths have been among those suffering from Asthma

By Ajith Siriwardana

The Health Ministry said yesterday 85 per cent of the 6,985 COVID-19 deaths that have been reported up to August 13 were reported among people who were suffering from chronic diseases and under medical treatment previously. 

Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) Director Dr Ranjith Batuwanthudawa told a news conference that a total of 2,261 (53%) of the deaths were from people who had been suffering

from diabetes, while 2,202 (52%) were among those suffering from high blood pressure.  He said some 1,001 (24%) 

out of the total deaths reported up to August 13 were among those who were suffering from heart diseases and some 800 (18%) were suffering from chronic kidney diseases.

Dr. Batuwanthudawa said some 445 Covid deaths have been reported among those who were suffering from Asthma.

• Some 1,001 (24%) out of the total deaths reported up to August 13 were among those who were suffering from heart diseases and some 800 (18%) were suffering from chronic kidney diseases