Bengaluru on alert as 300 children test COVID positive in 6 days

More than 300 children below the age of 19 years have tested positive for Covid-19 in the past six days in Bengaluru, putting the city on alert. This is one of the highest number of cases among children reported in Karnataka so far.

Data released by Bengaluru’s civic body, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), show 127 children aged less than 10 years have tested positive for Covid-19 between August 5 and 10. Besides these, 174 children aged between 10 and 19 years also tested Covid positive in these six days.

Taking note of the high number of children testing positive for Covid-19, the health department has warned that the situation may worsen and the cases rise if preventive measures aren’t taken.

The rise in Covid-19 cases in Bengaluru come at a time when India is yet to approve a vaccine that can be administered to children.

Experts had warned that children could be at an increased risk of contracting Covid-19 during the third wave in India. This was primarily because children have not been covered in the vaccination drive that could provide them antibodies to fight the viral infection. However, there have been some studies in India that suggest the third wave does not put children at any extra risk in comparison to adults.

In a report on the situation in Bengaluru, News18.com quoted an unnamed official saying the number of Covid-19 cases among children will “triple” within a few days and that “there is a great danger”.

“All we can do is protect our children from this virus by keeping them indoorIt is highly recommended to parents that they keep children inside home and follow all the Covid-19 norms,” the official was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Bengaluru Police has imposed Section 144 in the city to check movement of people and prevent transmission. Schools for students of Classes 9 to 12 in the state are scheduled to reopen from August 23. India Today