Children at risk as COVID-19 third wave may pick in october : MHA panel warns

NEW DELHI: The third wave of COVID-19 is inching closer and may peak in October, warned the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in a recent report submitted to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

NIDM is part of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).

A panel of experts has demanded improved medical preparedness, particularly for children, who may be at risk just as much as adults this time.

The report, titled 'Third Wave Preparedness: Children Vulnerability and Recovery,' has primarily focused on children in terms of the approaching third wave, and has cautioned to better prepare for the pandemic.

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The report discusses the vulnerability of children, particularly those who have not been vaccinated.

It advocated for prioritising vaccination among children with co-morbidities, with a particular emphasis on disabled children.

Meanwhile, directors of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) across the country have urged people to continue acting in accordance with Covid guidelines in order to avoid a possible increase in the daily caseload.

India recorded 25,072 new cases of COVID-19 and 389 deaths due to the infection in the past 24 hours.

According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry today, the country saw a total of 44,157 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery rate at around 97.57 per cent and total recoveries to 3,16,80,626.

The total active cases of COVID-19 in India have now declined to 3,33,924, the lowest in 153 days.

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