Taking note of the large number of youngsters testing positive for COVID-19, the health department has cautioned that if preventative measures are not implemented, the situation would deteriorate and the number of cases will increase.

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Over 300 youngsters under the age of 19 have tested positive for COVID-19 in Bengaluru over the last six days, putting the city on high alert. This is the greatest number of juvenile cases recorded in Karnataka so far. Between August 5 and 10, according to data provided by Bengaluru's municipal authority, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), 127 youngsters aged less than 10 years tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, 174 youngsters aged 10 to 19 years tested positive for COVID these past six days. The increase in COVID-19 cases in Bengaluru comes at a time when India has not yet approved a vaccine for children.

Experts have warned that during India's third wave, youngsters may face a higher risk of acquiring COVID-19. This was largely due to the fact that youngsters were not included in the vaccine campaign, which would have provided them with antibodies to combat the viral illness. However, several research studies conducted in India indicate that the third wave poses no additional danger to youngsters in contrast to adults.

Situation outside India

The percentage of children diagnosed with COVID-19 is increasing in the United States, a development health expert ascribes it to the Delta variant's greater likelihood of infecting youngsters than the original Alpha strain. The increase is especially pronounced in regions of the country with poor vaccination rates, with children's hospitals reporting the highest number of children hospitalised with COVID-19 since the epidemic started.

Since early July, the number of cases has been steadily increasing, as has the number of hospitalised children and adolescents. It is considered a fourth wave in the United States, and it is entirely due to the Delta variation. The Delta form of COVID is the most infectious version identified to date. This Delta variation currently accounts for considerably over 90% of paediatric and adolescent cases. The truth is that children under the age of 12 do not now have access to the vaccination. While children aged 12 and older may get access to the vaccination, many remain unvaccinated.

This represents a 300 to 400% rise in the number of children, and it also reflects the fact that the children are sicker since there are a larger proportion of COVID-positive patients who need ICU care.

Since the epidemic started, the staff at Texas Children's Hospital - one of the biggest paediatric hospital systems in the nation - has diagnosed over 15,000 children and adolescents with COVID-19, with about 10% of them requiring hospitalisation.

The children seem to develop Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C), which induces inflammation, about four weeks after their acute COVID episode. They may suffer from inflammatory diseases affecting their heart, respiratory system, skin, or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. And since those children may potentially be very ill, one of the things to prepare for is the likelihood of a spike in MIS-C hospital admissions a few weeks following this high in COVID hospitalisations.

Long COVID is another problem. While long COVID is less likely than MIS-C to need hospitalisation, the sickness may last weeks or months.

Anticipation in India

Brace for an anticipated surge in COVID in children in India as the 3rd wave arrives at our doorstep. We do not have vaccines for children yet. COVID-appropriate behaviour is slashed in many parts. Are we again seeing history repeating itself? It's time to buckle up now.

Disclaimer- The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of M3 India.

The author is a practising super specialist from New Delhi.