Novel coronavirus is wreaking havoc all over the world since last year. It's been almost two years now but nothing much has changed. A large number of people are still getting infected and are losing their lives to Covid. But one thing that has changed is coronavirus. The virus has mutated into several variants, making the battle more difficult.
With these mutating strains, the second wave of coronavirus is more distressing. In the first wave of coronavirus, infected people were mostly above the age of 45. Children and young people were considered safe. But, with the onset of the second wave of coronavirus, a sharp surge has been seen in the number of children and adolescents getting Covid infected.
In Karnataka, many young people including children are contracting Covid19. According to reports, about 143 percent of total Covid cases in Karnataka registered till March 18, are children below nine years. While age group of 10-19 years constitutes 160 percent of total coronavirus cases.
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Around 39,846 children aged between 0-9 years have tested positive between March 18 and May 18. Whereas, 1,05,044 children aged between 10-19 years have got infected with the virus. Till March 18, 28 children have succumbed to Covid19 and 15 more deaths are reported till May 18 in Karnataka.
The second wave of the deadly virus has resulted in the number of deaths among adolescents, jumping from 46 to 62. This time, the monthly average of deaths among children has been tripled with double in adolescents.
This increasing number of children getting infected in Karnatka raises the question of the commencement of the ‘third wave’ which is expected to be the deadliest.
So far, there is not enough evidence about any new mutant infecting children severely. However, experts believe that children will be the main target of the third wave of the pandemic.
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For now, the matter of relief is that infection in children is not severe. They are having mild symptoms like sore throat and fever, which is moderate. Children can be treated in-home quarantine with proper consultation.
But there is not much time left to prepare for the third wave. No vaccine is yet developed for people below 18. This increases the risk to their lives due to coronavirus infection.
However, the trials for a vaccine for children are expected to start soon.
AIIMS Chief Randeeo Gulerai said, “The virus is was mainly affecting the younger population in Delhi. Meanwhile, the new variants in the stated of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana have been found to spread rapidly in the younger age groups apart from the adults.”