472 children below the age of 10 found positive for COVID-19 in Bengaluru

Amid a rapid spike in coronavirus infections in Bengaluru, as many as 472 children below the age of 10 have been reported positive for COVID-19, since the beginning of this month. Of the infected children, 244 boys and 228 girls have been infected from March 1 to 26, the official data showed. According to experts, children have been getting exposed to coronavirus because of the reopening of schools. They are also more vulnerable than others as there is no vaccine for children yet.

The daily COVID-19 cases among children were limited to eight or nine during the early days of March, but it has steadily risen to 46 on March 26.

Experts told PTI that unlike in the past, children are now vulnerable because they are constantly exposed to outdoor activities, functions and gatherings, as also schools reopening for a certain age group, which was not the case last year due to lockdown.

“There is more and more exposure of children because of the opening of schools, also a lot of functions and gatherings. Earlier they used to be protected, but since they are exposed to several of these events, the risk has also gone up considerably,” said Dr Giridhara R Babu Professor and Head Lifecourse Epidemiology, Public Health Foundation of India.

The epidemiologist added that children, in many cases, may also be spreaders among family members. “…children going to schools or indulging in outdoor activities on contracting the virus from others, there is a high possibility of them spreading to others, like family members, friends,” he added.

Further, he said children are also easily vulnerable as it is difficult for them to maintain physical distance and wearing masks for long.

Report by Chetali S M
Reported on – 28/03/2021