Ahmednagar: Ahmednagar district in Maharashtra has reported a spike in Covid cases among children. District Surgeon Dr. Sunil Pokharana told reporters that 7,760 children got infected with Covid-19 in April while 9,928 children tested positive in May, adding up to 17,688 cases in the last two months.
Children constitute 8 to 10 percent of total number of positive cases, he added.
District Magistrate Dr Rajendra Bhosale also confirmed the uptick of Covid cases among children.
"Steep spike in rural areas is a cause of concern. The possible third wave of the pandemic has no date. All depends on our behaviour," Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Sunday while addressing the people of the state on social media. Thackeray said the government is fully prepared to tackle a possible third wave.
Also read: 'Vaccination is the key to preventing third wave of Covid-19'
"There is a difference between the COVID-19 virus variant between last time and this time. It is more virulent now, spreading fast and taking longer for the patient to recover. We also have another devil to deal with: black fungus. We have 3,000 cases of mucormycosis in the state. The coronavirus task force is keeping track," he added.
Also read: Expert warns of third wave of Covid in Maharashtra
Dr Sanjay Oak, a member of the Maharashtra Covid Task Force Committee in conversation with ETV Bharat had earlier said that the number of beds in hospitals will have to be increased. Ventilators should be separately allotted for small children. The situation may become grim and a separate hospital will have to be built for children, he said.
A separate section in a Covid hospital should be allotted to admit children along with their mothers to assist them. The pace of vaccination should be accelerated, he added.
Also read: Activist writes to CJI on preparedness for third Covid wave
