Covid infects 5318 children this year
Paediatrician allays fear of third wave 'impact' on children
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sonia Sorensangbam
Imphal, June 13 2021:
Amid the heat of second wave of Covid-19 pandemic, 5318 children in the state have been infected by Covid-19 in the current year.
As per report received from the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), out of the 5319 infected children, 433, including 199 females, are in the first few months of their 18th year.
The remaining 4885 are categorised as below 18 years.
This figure includes 2522 males and 2363 females indicating a slightly higher impact on the male kids.
Meanwhile, paediatric specialist Dr Yaikhomba of Shija Hospitals and Research Institute, who helped Covid positive kids in home isolation by visiting at their homes, has allayed apprehension of the possible third wave of the pandemic hitting hard the children.
The doctor, however, said that precautionary measures and following Covid appropriate behaviour are a must in order to minimise the impact.
So far, most of the positive cases among children are either mild or asymptomatic all over the world including Manipur.
While many experts are expressing the inevitability of a third wave, one should also keep in mind the progress of researches and studies that will definitely help in management of possible future waves.
On the other hand, some vaccines are being approved for inoculating children in the age group of 2 to 17 years and proposals are being made to include this age group in the vaccination drive.
Considering the progress of studies and nature of infection among the children, there are high possibilities of experiencing mostly asymptomatic to mild cases among the children, he observed, adding that the infection rate might increase but not the severity.
Dr Yaikhomba also informed that he is continuing his home visit to treat children in home isolation.
He has covered almost the entire Konthoujam assembly constituency and treated around 100 children during which he came across asymptomatic and mild cases only.
As such there was not much panic among the parents and the children as well.
The paediatrician also provided some counselling to the parents, which helped them in coping up with the condition and allaying their fear.
Confiding that he relished helping the children and allaying apprehension of their parents during this crisis period, Dr Yaikhomba also informed that he is providing similar service to children in nearby localities, which fall in the jurisdiction of other constituencies.
So far, there has been no complaint or report of progressing infection.
He is ready to revisit any of the children if needed, said the doctor, who not only provided free medicines but also chocolates and eatables to the children to lighten up their moods.