New Delhi, June 13
The Indian taskforce of the Lancet Covid Commission on Sunday said paediatric Covid cases would rise with the subsequent waves and India should reserve at least 10 per cent of the adult Covid ICU beds for children and 20 per cent in Covid wards.
In its paper on paediatric Covid protocols, the commission advised caution on reopening of schools, urgent prioritisation of vaccinations for children with comorbidities and massive ramp up of pediatric infrastructure with critical and oxygen support.
The commission says though there is no substantial evidence suggesting that children would be more affected in the third wave, pediatric cases are anticipated to rise corresponding to the increase in absolute numbers and the wave.
The publication in the Lancet coincided with a declining second wave with India reporting 80,834 fresh cases today — the lowest after 71 days and a daily positivity rate of 4.25 per cent.
“The proportion of children of all confirmed cases may also be expected to increase because a substantial proportion of adult population is expected to be completely vaccinated. We urge the government to earmark at least 10 per cent of the adult Covid ICU beds for children, 20 per cent in Covid wards, with sufficient isolation rooms so that healthy parents can stay with their children as needed,” said the commission based on recommendations of top experts from India.
It has suggested cautious reopening of schools saying the reopening should be dependent on the transmission rates in the local community and compliance to the mitigation measures, especially in older children.
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