A NEW clinical study has revealed that obesity is a major risk factor for coronavirus victims.

It confirms that age and male gender make Covid-19 sufferers more likely to be seriously ill and die.

The UK-wide research co-ordinated by the University of Liverpool makes ‘grim reading’ warns Blackburn with Darwen public health director Professor Dominic Harrison.

‘Covid-19: Who Dies, Who Survives’ looked at outcomes for 16,749 hospital patients with coronavirus with an average age of 72.

Of those 49 per cent were discharged alive, 33per cent died and 17 per cent continued to receive care at date of reporting.

It reveals that 47 per cent of hospital deaths were patients with no associated ‘comorbidities’ or other long-term health condition.

The study says: “ The data shows increased age and co-morbidities are associated with a higher risk of death.

“Surprisingly however the data also shows that 47 per cent of those in hospital with the virus had no recorded co-morbidities.

“The median age of those who died in hospital from COVID-19 in the UK was 80.

“The recognition that obesity is associated with in-hospital mortality has not been widely reported.

“The finding of independent associations of advancing age, male sex, chronic respiratory (though not asthma), chronic cardiac and chronic neurological disease with in-hospital mortality are in line with early international reports.

“It is notable that the enhanced severity in male patients is seen across all ages.”

Professor Harrison said: “This analysis on over 16,000 UK patients with confirmed Covid-19 makes for grim reading and underlines the importance of all the actions we have taken to slow the spread of the virus and contain new infections.

“The data shows that heart disease, diabetes; lung disease and asthma as well as obesity are associated with a higher risk of hospital admission with the virus.

“The data shows increased age and these co-morbidities are associated with a higher risk of death which underlines the importance of continuing to stick to the policy of shielding vulnerable people.

“Surprisingly the data also shows that 47 per cent of those in hospital with the virus had no recorded co-morbidities. This must alert us all not to think we not at risk just because we have no other illnesses.

“The NHS, social care and local government systems across the UK are responding well to the virus but it is continuing to present new challenges every day.

“This analysis will help us understand better who is most at risk and will inform our national and local prevention strategies for the future.”