As the second wave of COVID-19 seems to slow down slightly, concerns over the third wave to hit the country have been raised in recent days. States and Centre have also started preparing for the third wave.
Now, speaking about the same, Niti Aayog Member Dr VK Paul said that if children are infected with the virus, it does not have a serious effect and no hospitalisation is required. He said, "Our focus on childhood #COVID disease is gaining our attention. The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal or nill. The infection has not taken serious shape in children."
He added, "Vaccine trial for children is going on. The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. If they get COVID, it does not take a serious shape, hospitalisation is not required. But if the virus changes its behaviour, then this situation might change."
"But the virus may change its behaviour in the pediatric population. The impact of COVID-19 may increase in children. The data has shown that a low number of children are being admitted to hospitals. We're pushing preparedness," he said.
Dr Paul said that COVID-19 in children has been found in 2 ways— In first they have reported pneumonia-like symptoms. In second, some cases of a multi inflammatory syndrome found among children who recently recovered from C0VID19.
Over 9,900 minors tested positive for coronavirus at Ahmednagar in Maharashtra last month, but the district administration claimed that around 95 per cent of them were asymptomatic and the situation was not alarming.
In May this year, atotal of 86,182 COVID-19 cases were reported in Ahmednagar, district Collector Rajendra Bhosale told PTI.
"Out of them, 9,928 were minors (aged below 18), which comes to about 11.5 per cent of the total cases reported last month," Bhosale said.
He said out of the 9,928 minors who contracted the viral infection, 6,700 were in the age group of 11 to 18, 3,100 were in 1 to 10 years age bracket, while some were also below the age of 1 year.
"Since around 95 per cent of them were asymptomatic, there is nothing to worry. However, considering the threat of a possible third wave of COVID-19, it has now become paramount to take utmost care of children," the collector said.
Ahmednagar's paediatric task force member Dr Sachin Solat said though the number appeared big, the situation was "not alarming at all" as about 95 per cent of the minors who contracted COVID-19 were asymptomatic.
