Mangaluru: Comparative analysis of the first wave and second Covid-19 in the Dakshina district of Kannada showed the percentage of virus-affected children had increased from 6.1% to 10.2%.
Of the 34,441 cases reported in the first wave of infection between March 21 2020 and February 28 this year, 2,112 (6.1%) children under 15 years were affected.
Meanwhile, from 71,403 cases reported in the second wave between March 1 and August 15 this year, 7,348 (10.2%) of children from the same age group were influenced, registering a percentage increase of more than 4%.
However, there was no Covid-19 fatality reported in the age group in the second wave.
Four children died of Covid-19 in the first wave.
While 567 children under five were influenced in the first wave, the number increased to 1,832 in the second wave.
Likewise, while 696 children from the 6-10 age group were infected in the first wave, the second wave saw 2,489 children testing positive viruses.
In the age group 11-15, 849 was infected in the first wave and 3,027 was influenced in the second wave.
So far, from 1,05,844 positive cases reported in the district from March 21, 2020 to 15 August this year, 9,460 (8.9%) were in the age group 0-15.
Deputy Commissioner K V Rajendra told TOI that the district was ready to face the challenges of the third wave, especially to manage the Covid-19 pediatric case.
“Even though there are 75 oxenated beds provided for children in the regional sophisticated child care center of the Wenlock Regency Hospital, the child care unit has been opened in all retired hospitals in the district.
Meanwhile, training has been given to all health staff in the district for Handle the Pediatric Covid-19 case.
We have enough pediatric counts in the government and private sectors to handle cases, if the third wave affects children, “he added.