NT NETWORK

Panaji

A total of 66.40 per cent of children in the age-group of 5-17 have shown antibodies against COVID-19, reveals a paediatric sero survey conducted in the state.

Samples of 480 children in the 5-17 age group were drawn from different centres across Goa for the study, of which 66.40 per cent have developed antibodies against the virus.

The study was undertaken by the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) cell of the directorate of health services (DHS) along with district hospitals.

“Usually, the number of paediatric COVID-19 cases reported to us is very low. The main objective of this study was to ascertain the percentage of children, who were affected by the virus during the peak of the pandemic,” a senior doctor at the DHS said.

This survey report was placed before the state steering committee on COVID management, which met on Thursday.

“It is being widely reported that children will be the most vulnerable during the possible third wave of COVID-19. But this sero

survey report of the DHS indicates that COVID-19 may not have a huge impact on children, as they have antibodies. Nevertheless, we advise people of all age groups to continue following COVID-appropriate behaviour,” said a medical expert, who is one of the prominent members of the state steering committee on COVID management.

The restrictions imposed on higher educational institutions for conducting classes in physical mode has been lifted, as the state has seen a drastic dip in the daily fresh COVID-19 cases. However, the decision on restarting classes for school students is yet to be taken by the government.

A highly placed source told this daily that the state steering committee is likely to assess the COVID situation post Ganesh Chaturthi festival before arriving at any decision.

The committee, headed by the Chief Minister, is expected to meet in mid-September, the sources said, adding that the government has been advised to consider the reopening of schools in ‘hybrid mode’ so as to give parents the options of both, online and offline classes to choose from for their children.