Goemkarponn desk
Today, PANAJI: Goa’s renowned Onco-Surgeon Chief Department of Oncology, Manipal Dr Shekhar Salkar, disclosed that 22,731 children had tested positive for COVID-19 without attending a single session class.
“As we check data, a total of 22,371 children have tested positive for COVID19 without attending a single class, of which 9 children succumbed to the virus. 5 during 1st wave and 4 during the second wave,” said Dr Salkar.
He further said that all 9 children who succumbed to the virus had comorbidity conditions like cardiac, renal and obesity in immunosuppressant.
Further, as per data, 4804 children tested positive in the age group of 1-5 years, 5425 in 6-10 years, 6830 in the age group of 11-15 and 5312 in the age group of 16-18 years.
Dr Salkar also claimed that if the third wave comes, it will not be as strong as the second wave.
“Scientifically speaking, it will come. I hope that the chances of infectivity and death rates will be much less because we are fully vaccinated. If it is delayed by a month, we will have 60-70 per cent double dose vaccination,” Salkar said.
Salkar also suggested that schools could be reopened using the hybrid mode of teaching. These students can attend offline physical classes once school reopens, and those who have smartphones and a good network can attend these classes from home.
“If the situation permits gradually, physical classes for all students could also be started, this is good news because the impact of the third wave of Covid 19 will not be as severe as contemplated because children have already developed antibodies,” he added.
