'Schools May Close In Odisha If Covid Cases Surge In U-18 Age Groups'

Ahead of the possible third wave of Coronavirus pandemic, the Odisha government has indirectly blamed the families for the surge in cases of Covid-19 among the children and adolescent under 18 year age groups.

The chief of Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET), CBK Mohanty on Tuesday advised parents to compulsorily inform the administration in case of development of any SARI/ILI symptoms in their wards. 

It is difficult to control activities of children so responsibility of parents is now more important than ever. If symptoms like cold, cough, fever develops in children, parents should inform about the same to the administration and get their kids tested for Covid at the earliest. This will minimize risk of any high infection and thereby reduce mortality cases and hospitalizations. 

If people do not pay any heed and cases among children groups continue to rise, the State government may have to reconsider planning for shutting down the schools once again, said Mohanty. 

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Similarly, Director of Health Services, Bijay Mohapatra stressed on the need for extensive surveillance on virus cases. Mohapatra advised parents not to leave their wards to school if they exhibit any symptoms or suspected infection.

The number of child positives and extent of serious cases need to be ascertained. So there is no other way than to intensify surveillance.

Mohapatra made a major statement and said that at present around 0.2 per cent of children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 have been admitted to ICU but no one is under ventilator support. The most important factor is that most the children infections are mild cases which is a big relief, said the top health official.