COVID-19 Third Wave: Govt says 'no indication found that children will be severely affected'

The government on Monday said that there was no indication that children will be severely affected in third wave of COVID-19. The statement comes even as experts have warned that there could be a very high risk for children in the next wave. 

"It has been said that children will be infected the most in the third wave but Pediatrics Association has said that this is not based on facts. It might not impact children so people should not fear," Dr. Guleria said at a presser of the Health Ministry on Monday. 

Recently, the country's apex child rights body said the Centre and states



should ramp up their preparations to protect children and neonatals. 

In a letter to health secretaries of states and union territories, the chairperson said keeping in view the high risk involved for infants and children in the projected third wave, the NCPCR has developed a format to collect information on functioning of neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), paediatric intensive care units (PICUs) and special newborn care units (SICUs). The chairperson also asked the health ministry to apprise the commission, if additional protocols or guidelines have been developed by the ICMR for prevention and clinical management of children.