The new wave of COVID-19 is wrecking havoc, especially among children, as more and more test positive. SHALINI SAKSENA speaks to doctors to tell you more
The second wave of COVID-19 is far deadlier than what it was last year. This time round, the cause for alarm is two-fold. First, even those who have been vaccinated have tested positive. Second, more and more children are falling victim to the virus. An AIIMS report in November 2020 revealed that almost 40 per cent of all the persons who tested positive for coronavirus across age groups were found to be asymptomatic and 73.5 per cent, the highest proportion of asymptomatic cases was reported among children below the age of 12.
Come March 2021, and the number of children who have tested positive has reached alarming proportions. Dr Merlin Moni, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amrita Hospital, Kochi says that scientific explanation for the increase in the number of cases in kids is at present incomplete.
“However, they are issues specific 15 children which could contribute to current increasing number. All schools reopening with challenges on mask, social distancing, rising community spread and lack of vaccine for them is making them vulnerable. Studies have already proven that there could be as much as three times increased number of cases with school reopening. In addition, there could be variants which are evaluating especially in the scenario of complete vaccination,” Moni explains. Another reason, one is told, could be due to: New viral variant which will alter behaviour of the virus.
There is a silver lining though. Most of the vaccines which are already being approved for the adults could be used in children but the phase II, III, IV trials are lagging for them.
“Many vaccines have already completed trials in adolescents (above 12 years) and have generated safety and efficacy profile of the vaccine, similar to over18 years’ age group. However, the trials in special populations including younger age group is on its way. Pregnancy and lactation are other categories for which data regarding vaccine use is lagging. The solution to this situation bears no shortcuts,” Moni tells you.
Another plus is that while more children are getting infected and becoming symptomatic as compared to the first wave, the number requiring intensive care is negligible.
Dr Rachna Sharma, senior consultant, Paediatrics ICU, Centre for Child Health, BLK Super Speciality Hospital in the Capital tells you that the situation is definitely alarming at present. “As compared to last year, even asymptomatic kids are now testing positive. There is no single reason for this. The new variant, no masks, no social distancing when an adult in the house tests positive are some of the reasons,” she tells you.
The solution is simple. First, keep the kids indoors at all times. “Second, when an adult in the house tests positive keep them away. The young, people under 45 need to be extremely careful since the vaccine doesn’t include them. One has to behave like responsible citizens. The fact that so many doctors have also tested positive goes to show there is need to tread with caution. Third, wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, not go out and when adults do so, maintain COVID-19 SOP and keep away from social gathering can go a long way in keeping the children as well as the adults safe,” Sharma says.