COVID-19: How Vulnerable Are Children? Hear It From Paediatric Expert

Mumbai: Even as India is just about starting to breathe a sigh of relief after being rattled by the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiologists have warned that a third wave is more or less inevitable, and it could hit the country in three-four months’ time.

Most of them also fear that children are going to be hit hard in the next wave. Parents are worried stiff, and are wondering how serious is it going to be.

Experts, though, have a comforting word for parents.

Yes children are vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but its impact among children is relatively moderate, ANI reported.

“Covid-19 in children is still moderate. Though children are vulnerable to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the majority of them are asymptomatic and only 1-2 per cent had to be hospitalized,” R Somasekar, executive board member of Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) said during a video conference on Saturday.

Somasekar advised parents to be cautious so that the coronavirus is not transmitted from adults to children. He also asked parents to observe closely for any changes in their children’s behaviour to identify COVID symptoms.

He informed that the impact of COVID-19 on children has so far been felt mainly in Karnataka.

As per state health department data, over 68,000 children below 10 years have been infected by the virus till May 20 this year.

Recently, it was reported that around 9,000 children tested COVID positive in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar.

Somasekar urged people to adopt everyday measures like physical exercise, avoiding junk food, healthy sleep, wearing masks, following a balanced diet and age-appropriate vaccination to stay healthy.

Also Read: 46 Children Infected In 3 Days: Work Begins On Paediatric COVID Hospital At VIMSAR In Odisha