Increased death anxiety in the elderly during Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic

In December 2019, the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China led to its spread around the world and became one of the major international concerns.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that COVID-19 has become a global health concern and causes severe respiratory infections in humans.1, 2 Human-to-human transmission has been described through droplets, and contaminated hands and surfaces. Early diagnosis, quarantine, and supportive care are essential in treating the patients.1 With the spread of COVID 19 worldwide3 and also because of the lack of specific antiviral treatment and clinical pressure of treatment, thousands of severe cases of the disease die every day in the world.4 COVID19 pandemic has affected all aspects of social life, including mental health and physical health,5 and the direct and indirect psychological and social effects of COVID-19 epidemic disease are now apparent. It can affect the mental health now and in future.5 Concerns such as fear of death are increasing among patients in epidemics.6 By forcing several directives, including house arrests and quarantine, to deal with the spread of the virus, patients, health professionals, and the general public are under unbearable psychological pressure. COVID-19 appears to be a serious mental health challenge.7, 8 Some groups, such as the elderly, may be more vulnerable than others.9 The world’s growing elderly population highlights the need to pay more attention to the psychological problems of the elderly, such as death anxiety.10