COVID-19 Infection Not Taken Serious Shape Among Children, Can Impact If Changes Nature: Dr VK Paul

New Delhi: Member (Health), NITI Aayog Dr VK Paul on Tuesday (June 1) assured that COVID-19 infection has not taken a serious shape among children and added that the childhood COVID-19 disease is gaining their attention but warns of impacting the age group, if the virus changes behaviour. “Our focus is on childhood COVID-19 disease. The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal or nil. The infection has not taken serious shape in children”, said Dr Paul in press conference.

Also Read: Third Wave Of COVID-19 Likely To Attack Children, Vaccinate The Parents Quickly: Dr Devi Shetty Of Narayana Health

Talking about COVID-19 among children, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, also warned that the virus may change its behaviour among the pediatric population for the worse. He added that India is pushing for preparedness for such a scenario.

If the COVID-19 virus changes its nature, the impact of COVID-19 on children may increase. Although, children get mild COVID-19. But even, if 2-3 percent of children need hospitalisation, we are preparing for that, he said.

Describing about how the Coronavirus is reported in children, Dr Paul said,

COVID-19 in children has been found in 2 ways– In first, they have reported pneumonia-like symptoms. In second, some cases of a multi inflammatory syndrome found among children who recently recovered from COVID-19.

Meanwhile, India recorded a single-day rise of 1,27,510 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest in 51 days, taking the country’s infection tally to 2,81,75,044, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Tuesday. India’s active caseload further declined and is below 20 lakhs after 43 days. The active caseload further declined to 18,95,520 as active cases decreased by 1,30,572 in the last 24 hours.

Also Read: Singapore Warns New Virus Strains Infecting More Children, Shuts Schools

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.