9 children confirmed dead in Guwahati's GMCH in COVID-19 Phase 2

GUWAHATI: Amid persisting concerns over the impact of a potential third Covid-19 wave on those under the age of 18, including children, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) superintendent Abhijeet Sharma today said that the premier health facility has registered 9 minor deaths in the second phase of the pandemic.

Talking to media here earlier today, Dr. Sharma said that from April of 2021, 135 minors have been admitted to the hospital, out of which 9 patients are still being treated. Dr. Sharma said that as many as 9 patients passed away while they were being treated.

"In the first wave in 2020, 228 kids were admitted out of which 12 passed away and the rest were all discharged," Dr. Sharma added.

Most of the cases are asymptomatic and in a majority of the cases, the parents had also been infected, he further added.

"Sometimes we have one child, sometimes two. However, a spread (in the demographic) is yet to be reported," he added.

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Assam has issued new guidelines which will come into effect from Monday. As per the latest notification, the curfew timings for high positivity districts will be round the clock, 2 pm to 5 pm for districts with a moderate positivity rate and 5 pm to 5 am for districts showing improvement.

"The Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) has issued a revised and consolidated directive containing directives to further contain the spread of Covid-19 in the districts.

However, the state health department has already issued advice to the people to prepare for an impending third wave in the coming few months. In this third wave, it is feared, a larger number of children could be infected as a major chunk of those below 18 are yet to be vaccinated.

So when will the COVID-19's third wave hit India? Pretty late, say experts.