Alert against COVID-19 infection in kids, 2,252 fresh cases in Kozhikode

Test positivity rate at 14.33%; active caseload crosses 20,000-mark again

Health workers in Kozhikode have been alerted against possible SARS-CoV-2 infection in children even as the district recorded 2,252 more COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking the active case pool above 20,000 again. At an online meeting attended by Forests Minister A.K. Saseendran and Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, it was pointed out that there was a possibility of the virus infecting children aged up to 18. Many of them were found to be getting infected from home from those already affected. Mr. Saseendran suggested shifting infected elder persons to other facilities to protect children. Mr. Riyas said a panel of paediatricians should be formed to coordinate the treatment of COVID-19 cases among children. He also called for strict enforcement of pandemic protocols in areas with a low test positivity rate (TPR) and combined efforts to thwart a third wave of the infection.