‘Dists must entirely follow Covid treatment protocol’

Ranchi/Sindri: In the wake of two kids testing positive for Covid-19 in Dhanbad and four cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), which is linked to Covid-19, being reported from Jamshedpur, the state Integrated Disease Surveillance Program (IDSP) has advised its district units to follow the guidelines issued regarding the treatment of Covid-infected children to the hilt.
Talking to TOI on Saturday, state surveillance officer Dr Rakesh Dayal said, “We are monitoring the situation on a daily basis and there is nothing to worry about. However, we have advised all our district surveillance officers to ensure that monitoring as well as testing protocols are followed as per the guidelines and if required, fresh guidelines will be issued.”
Asked about their preparation, he said, “We have completed online as well as offline training of doctors, nursing staff and other health workers on Covid management for kids. Apart from that, PICUs and NICUs are ready in most of the districts and even if cases increase, we will be able to treat the patients in a smooth manner.”
On Friday, a three-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl tested positive in Dhanbad, following which they were admitted to Sahid Nirmal Mahato Medical College and Hospital (SNMMCH). Both the kids are said to be stable and are being treated at SNMMCH’s PG block. “Both of them are asymptomatic. We are treating them as per protocol,” Dr D P Bhushan, in-charge SNMMCH’s PG block, said.
The district administration, meanwhile, has begun contact tracing in Rajganj locality, where the girl hails from. “We have directed the medical officer of the area concerned to start contact tracing and a medical team, along with IDSP officials, will be doing it,” Dhanbad SDM Surendra Prasad said.
The boy, on the other hand, had arrived with his family in Dhanbad from Telangana. According to the norms, the family was asked to stay in quarantine for seven days after which they had to undergo testing. When their reports came back on Friday, both the father, who is a CISF jawan, and his son tested positive while the mother is negative. The father has been admitted to a separate ward in SNMMCH.
In Jamshedpur, the four kids were found infected with MIS-C earlier this week when they were admitted at ESIC hospital in Adityapur area in Seraikela-Kharsawan district. “All four are stable now and two have already been discharged,” the superintendent of ESIC hospital, Dr M P Minz, said.
Meanwhile, a senior health department official allayed fears that kids who test positive for Covid will be severely infected since they haven’t been vaccinated. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official said, “Several sero-survey findings from various parts of the country have indicated that a considerable chunk of kids who haven’t been vaccinated yet have developed antibodies. This has happened due to their contact with family members who were infected in the past. This is a good sign as it will help in reducing the severity of the infection among kids.”