Paediatric Covid cases in Aurangabad city rise to 515

AURANGABAD: The paediatric Covid cases within the municipal limits of Aurangabad, during the ongoing third wave of Covid-19, since January 1, increased to 515 till Thursday, accounting for nearly 10% of the total active cases.
Among three distinct age-groups, children aged between six and 14 have maximum 257 cases followed by 209 in the 15 to 18 age bracket. A total of 49 children up to five years have been infected by the contagion too.
Dr Prabha Khaire, head of paediatric section at Government Medical College and Hospital, said Covid cases among children are more during the third wave of the pandemic when compared to the past two waves.
“It was predicted earlier that a minimum of around 10% of Covid infections would be paediatric cases during the third wave. Like in the adults, the current cases of Covid is manifesting as mild infection among the children. However, parents should take care of their wards who have comorbid conditions,” she said.
Health authorities have appealed to the doctors to follow treatment protocol devised by the Centre for treating Covid among children as per severity of the disease.
As per latest guidelines issued by the ministry of health and family welfare on January 17, use of antivirals or monoclonal antibodies is not recommended for children less than 18 years of age as of now, irrespective of the severity of infection.
The common symptoms in children with Covid infection may include fever, cough, sore throat/ throat irritation, diarrhoea, body ache/headache and nausea/ vomiting, loss of smell and/ or taste among others, it was said.
For details about swab collection centres and any other Covid-related assistance, the local civic body has appealed citizens to contact on helpline number 8956306007.