India reported more than one lakh daily coronavirus cases for the first time earlier this week, with cases surging during the second wave of the pandemic. Data from the health ministry revealed that more children contracted the coronavirus in the second wave of the pandemic as compared to the first wave. In five worst-affected states—Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi—over 79,688 children have been infected by the virus between March 1 and April 4, NDTV reported. According to the channel, in Maharashtra alone, 60,684 children tested positive between March 1 and April 4. Of these children, 9,882 are under the age of five.
In December, a report published by UK Government’s New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (NERVTAG) revealed that the new variant of the coronavirus, cases of which have also been reported in India, carries mutations that could mean children as well as adults are as susceptible to becoming infected with it, unlike previous strains. Doctors and paediatricians are noticing a reverse trend where children develop symptoms first, and then adults are getting it from them. Unlike the first wave where most of the children were asymptomatic, in the second wave they are developing symptoms including fever, cold, dry cough, diarrhoea, vomiting, loss of appetite, fatigue, minor breathing difficulties, and rashes among other common symptoms. On the positive side, Ministry data shows that most children don’t require hospitalisation. The majority of the children who contract the virus typically experience mild common symptoms that can be treated at home. In rare cases, some children have developed severe inflammatory syndrome - a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs.
In a recent appeal to the public, the health ministry has said that if a child is showing the mildest symptoms of COVID-19 infection or has come in contact with an individual exposed to the virus, an RT PCR test should be done immediately. Reports and studies also suggest that the reason of rising infection among children is increasing exposure due to playing outdoor or travelling without taking proper precautions like wearing a mask, sanitising frequently, and lack of testing. Experts have also pointed out that children act as silent carriers or super-spreaders, and spread it to other children and adults, who are susceptible to other diseases.
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