Goa: ‘In 3 months, 14% Covid cases among kids, but no hospitalisations, deaths’

PANAJI: Over the past 12 weeks, children have constituted 14% of all Covid-19 infections detected in the state.
The directorate of health services has revealed that of 5,381 cases between August 23 and November 16, the 0-17 age group makes up 767 cases.
Director of health services Dr Ira Almeida told TOI that the statistics are not unusual, and added that none of the children who contracted Covid during this period died.
“None of the children (even) had to be admitted to hospital,” she said. “The few who were at GMC were admitted for other procedures, and Covid-19 was an incidental finding. They didn’t have Covid symptoms, and were found to be positive only after they were screened. It’s safe for children to return to school. Considering children are the only unvaccinated section of the population, we are keeping a close eye.”
The directorate has also been monitoring Covid statistics for the 15-17 age group after physical classes began for them, and found that they comprised 27% of all children infected during this period.
“There was no significant rise in Covid-19 infections in this age group despite classes for them being held in the offline mode,” she added.
Dr Sushma Kirtani child, newborn and adolescent paediatrician and member of the Indian Association of Paediatrics, too says it is safe for children of all ages to return to school and nurseries, and that this must be done without delay.
“Children have better innate immunity and adaptive immunity due to exposure to other viruses. They have healthier lungs and immature ACE receptors. Cases of severe Covid-19 pneumonia and adverse outcomes are usually seen only in infants, children with comorbidities, and those who are immuno-compromised,” she said.
Parents are at their wits’ end trying to educate and discipline their wards, and children are frustrated, presenting with behavioural problems and falling back on their studies, said Kirtani. “Children from economically-poorer backgrounds are being pushed into child labour and will forever lose out on education if schools continue to be closed. This will have consequences in the form of child marriages, teenage pregnancies, infant mortality and several associated problems,” said Kirtani, who also served as former chairperson of the state commission for the protection of child rights.
“All schools and even nurseries must start following all protocols in a staggered manner, even for a few hours three times a week, and slowly increase, while being monitored,” she said.
She has other suggestions too: Parents shouldn’t be allowed inside, children must wear masks and carry sanitisers, canteens must stay closed (with children asked to bring their own food), sharing of water and food should be prohibited, and talking in corridors banned. She also said that midday meals could continue as long as there’s no overcrowding. Also, importantly, children with any respiratory infection should be asked to stay home.
“If 100% seating capacity is being permitted in closed air-conditioned theatres for Iffi, why should children suffer by not returning to schools where chances of infection spreading is very low, with windows and doors open?” she asked. “Children have to get back into the routine of going to school. and if they don’t, they will struggle with their studies as they proceed to higher classes.”