In the backdrop of fears about the vulnerability of children to Covid-19 in the event of an outbreak of the third wave of the pandemic, two children have tested positive for the virus at a renowned medical facility in Sambalpur district.
The children aged five and eight years respectively, were undergoing treatment at the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, Sambalpur district when they tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday.
“Covid symptoms were found in both the children while they were undergoing treatment in the hospital. Both of them were found Covid positive following an antigen test,” said the Superintendent of VIMSAR, Lalmohan Nayak.
Later, both of them were admitted to VIMSAR’s Covid hospital and their health condition is being monitored by a team of doctors.
It has been widely claimed that children will be infected the most during the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic. While some kids were affected during the ongoing second wave, almost 90 per cent of the infections, so far, have been mild or asymptomatic.
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However, according to experts, there is no scientific evidence to prove that the impending third wave of coronavirus disease will have a detrimental effect on children.
In view of the possibility of increase in the spread of Covid-19 among children as predicted by public health experts, the Odisha government had issued an advisory to prevent virus contamination in children in May 22. Moreover, medical infrastructure in the State is being augmented while paediatricians and nurses are being given special training for the treatment of children infected by the virus during the third wave.