Odisha prepares for 1,500 daily paediatric cases in next COVID-19 wave

All COVID Care Centres having ICUs directed to earmark 15% capacity for paediatric patients

Odisha government has directed all district headquarters and sub-divisional hospitals to earmark at least 10 isolation beds as paediatrics care facilities. Though there has been no certainty that the anticipated third COVID-19 wave will impact children disproportionately, the Odisha government is preparing to deal with 1,500 infections daily among children. A statement from the State Health and Family Welfare Department on the standard operating procedure (SOP) to deal with the possible third-wave said, “Currently, approximately 8% of the total COVID-19 cases are in the age group of 0-18 years. In USA the contribution of cases of 0-18 years is up to 14%. Considering the possible surge of infection in the age-group, it is estimated to be around 15% of infected population. In the current wave, the State has registered average 10,000 cases during peak period. There could be nearly 1,500 cases pertaining to this age-group.”