As the second wave of Covid-19 subsides, several states in India have begun to prepare for a third wave, with a special focus on protecting...
As the second wave of Covid-19 subsides, several states in India have begun to prepare for a third wave, with a special focus on protecting children.
For instance, the Uttar Pradesh government plans to identify and vaccinate parents of children below 10 years. Since June 15, the state government started distribute free medicine kits consisting of cough syrup and chewable tablets among children through its network of Accredited Social Health Activists or ASHA and other frontline workers.
Jharkhand has prepared a manual detailing its treatment plans and management of children during the third wave, and has estimated that it would require over 6,000 beds for them. It states that at least 14 lakh children in the state would be at risk of Covid-19 in the third wave, even though those below 14 years comprised only 5% of the total cases between March and April this year.
In Karnataka, the government has set up a task force to create additional pediatric wards and Covid care centres for children across districts.
But what is the scientific evidence that these initiatives are based on? What do we know about the third wave and which demographic it will affect the most?
Not enough, said scientists and doctors who spoke to Scroll.in. “By now it is very clear there...
