Toddlers can become ill with Covid-19. However, most infected kids typically don’t become as sick as adults, and some might not show any symptoms at all. Although children are less likely to develop severe illness or die from Covid-19, child infection is dangerous because young kids can spread Covid to family members when they do not have symptoms, and thus family members might not suspect that their child is infected and infectious.
Babies under age 1 might be at higher risk of severe illness with Covid-19 than older children. This is likely due to their immature immune systems and smaller airways, which make them more likely to develop breathing issues with respiratory virus infections, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
From aap.org: “As of November 11, over 6.6 million children in the US have tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic. This week over 122,000 child cases were added, an increase of about 22 percent from two weeks ago. Child cases have declined since a peak of 252,000 the week of September 2nd, but Covid cases among children remain extremely high. For the 14th week in a row child Covid-19 cases are above 100,000. Since the first week of September, there have been almost 1.6 million additional child cases.”
From the Associated Press, November 18: “The White House says about 10 percent of eligible kids aged five to 11 have received a dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine since its approval for their age group two weeks ago. At least 2.6 million kids have received a shot, White House Covid-19 coordinator Jeff Zients said Wednesday, with 1.7 million doses administered in the last week alone, roughly double the pace of the first week after approval. It’s more than three times faster than the rate adults were vaccinated at the start of the nation’s vaccination campaign 11 months ago.”
In the Philippines, Department of Health data showed there are 38,825 Covid-19 cases among children who are four years old and below. At least 265 of these children died while 34,857 recovered. For children between five years old and nine years old, at least 40,286 got the disease. The death count for this age group is 40 while 36,519 recovered. The data also showed that 54,847 children who are 10 to 14 years old tested positive for Covid. Majority, or 50,023, of them recovered while 77 died.
Dominating the news recently was the case of a two-year-old who reportedly caught Covid-19 less than a week after visiting a mall. This prompted the Department of Health to order an investigation.
During his “Talk To The Nation” on Monday night, President Duterte urged local government units to consider imposing stricter policies that will limit the entry of minors to public establishments such as shopping malls. The President also reminded the public to continue being cautious. “To the parents and guardians of minors who are unvaccinated, be mindful of the risk. Part of caring for them is thinking about their safety. I hope no one among our children will get Covid-19,” he said.
At the urging of the President, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and Metro Manila mayors announced their plan to review the guidelines allowing children to go outdoors and enter malls as the region is currently under Alert Level 2. “While we have low Covid-19 cases, the pandemic is still not over. It is within the authority of local government units to put restrictions as the situation may call for,” said Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año.
The president of the Philippine Medical Association also issued this reminder: Parents, especially those with kids aged 11 and below, should still refrain from bringing their children to malls or any indoor public spaces frequented by a lot of people.
Metro Manila and other places with low Covid infections are now under Alert Level 2, which means there are no age restrictions for people going to the malls and other public places. But the virus is still very much around. Not bringing your kids to indoor public places is still the best way to protect them and your family from Covid infection.