Written By: Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : August 18, 2021 3:31 PM IST
Some children’s hospitals have reported an increase in the number of hospitalizations due to delta mutations.
While we try to keep up with ever-changing mask guidance and figure out if it's safe to hang out in public again, we have another major concern: keeping kids safe from the latest strain of COVID-19 as they return to school and other group activities. The B.1.617.2 variant of SARS-CoV-2, also known as delta variant, is posing a new threat worldwide despite increased production of vaccines.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it has spread to over 100 countries and will soon become the most dominant Covid strain worldwide. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has declared it "a variant of concern," as it causes more infections and spreads faster than earlier forms of the virus that causes COVID-19. The variant is also said to be "primarily responsible" for the second wave of Covid-19 in India. The best way to protect everyone from this virus is vaccination. But most Covid-19 vaccines are approved for 12 years old and above only. Are you worried about your children amidst the rising cases of delta variant?
Dr Santosh Kumar, Consultant Neonatologist and Pediatrician, Motherhood Hospitals, Bangalore, tells us how to protect our kids against the delta variant.
Studies have shown that the Delta variant is twice as contagious as previous variants.
Delta variant is more contagious, and spreads more easily than the previous variants that we have seen. Currently, we do not have exact data reflecting the number of cases of delta variant in children. However, it has been reported that there has been a steady increase in COVID-19 cases among children across the country.
On the positive side, the symptoms are mostly mild: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, upset stomach, headache, and fatigue. Although this recent strain has not caused many serious diseases, some children's hospitals have reported an increase in the number of hospitalizations due to delta mutations.
The previous school year was difficult for everyone. Parents were struggling to find a balance between work from home and their children's online classes. On the other hand, children were finding hard to adapt to virtual learning, new schedules and no physical interaction with friends. But as schools reopen, parents are now concerned about their child's safety as they return to classes.
Commenting on this, Dr Kumar said that wearing a mask is the best protection against Delta variant if your child is not old enough to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Further he said, children should adhere to the Covid guidelines, which we are all too familiar with, such as
Remember, people who have been fully vaccinated are less likely to become ill from the Delta variant, but the situation is different for those who have not been vaccinated (including children).
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