Delhi: August 23: Many discussions are on regarding the ‘Third Wave’ of Covid-19 and also since long, we have been getting various information regarding the topic from media and others.
When shall the Third Wave to hit India ? The answer is uncertain.
A third wave of the coronavirus (Covid-19) disease may reach its peak around October, said a committee set up by the Union Home Ministry.
National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has warned of a third wave peak in October.
In its report that has been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the committee of NIDM asks for the critical need for pediatric facilities. It has said, if the children got affected by virus in large number, then we require huge pediatric facilities including doctors, staff, and equipment like ventilators and ambulances.
In fact, there is insufficient evidence to claim that, a third Covid wave will affect more to children than adults. But, as said by National Institute of Disaster Management, there is still “cause for worry, if not panic” so long as they remain unvaccinated and existing medical facilities remain inadequate.
The issue of co-morbidities among infected children is also to be taken care. Between 60 and 70 per cent of Covid-positive children have co-morbidities, according to Health Ministry data. So, vaccination is must in this situation.
The report also speaks on various measures for children’s safety like awareness program mes which make people understand that children are different from adults and their needs are different.
Teachers and guardians should be trained as to what to do if a child is infected. Vaccination among young children and children with comorbidity should be an immediate future priority.
Special provisions for parent-child hospital accommodation facilities should be in place. The hospitals and care centres should have provisions for the stay of parents with COVID-19 infected children.
