Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Aug 14, 2024 23:56:52 GMT
Covid-19 cases in children surge 179% amid back-to-school concerns - Published Aug 14, 2024
A recent spike in Covid-19 cases among children in Korea has sparked worry among health officials and parents alike.
The Korean Children's Hospital Association (KCHA) reported a 179 percent increase in pediatric Covid-19 cases in the first week of August compared to the previous week, with some regions seeing even more dramatic rises.
The KCHA's survey of 42 hospitals nationwide revealed that child Covid-19 cases jumped from 387 in the last week of July to 1,080 in the first week of August.
The Chungcheong Province region saw a staggering 457 percent increase, while the capital area experienced a 213 percent rise.
"This surge suggests we need to learn from past pandemic experiences and take preemptive action to reduce and defend against Covid-19 cases in children," KCHA President Choi Yong-jae said.
Choi warned that many infected children are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, potentially facilitating easier spread.
“It is important for high-risk groups, such as children with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or premature infants, should seek immediate medical attention if diagnosed,” he said.
With schools reopening in the third or fourth week of August, there are concerns about a further increase in cases.
The KCHA called on health authorities to provide clearer guidelines to avoid confusion among healthcare providers and patients.
Adding to parents' worries is the simultaneous outbreak of other childhood diseases, including mycoplasma pneumonia, whooping cough, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
This combination of illnesses has been dubbed a "quadruple whammy" by some parents, evoking memories of the difficulties faced during the height of the pandemic.
One parent, surnamed Lee, who is an office worker working in Seoul, shared his experience of dealing with multiple infections.
"My child caught hand, foot, and mouth disease and then tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after,” he said. “It's incredibly challenging for working parents to manage these recurring illnesses and I wish the government can consider these challenges when it tries to address the country's low birth rate.”
A recent spike in Covid-19 cases among children in Korea has sparked worry among health officials and parents alike.
The Korean Children's Hospital Association (KCHA) reported a 179 percent increase in pediatric Covid-19 cases in the first week of August compared to the previous week, with some regions seeing even more dramatic rises.
The KCHA's survey of 42 hospitals nationwide revealed that child Covid-19 cases jumped from 387 in the last week of July to 1,080 in the first week of August.
The Chungcheong Province region saw a staggering 457 percent increase, while the capital area experienced a 213 percent rise.
"This surge suggests we need to learn from past pandemic experiences and take preemptive action to reduce and defend against Covid-19 cases in children," KCHA President Choi Yong-jae said.
Choi warned that many infected children are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, potentially facilitating easier spread.
“It is important for high-risk groups, such as children with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or premature infants, should seek immediate medical attention if diagnosed,” he said.
With schools reopening in the third or fourth week of August, there are concerns about a further increase in cases.
The KCHA called on health authorities to provide clearer guidelines to avoid confusion among healthcare providers and patients.
Adding to parents' worries is the simultaneous outbreak of other childhood diseases, including mycoplasma pneumonia, whooping cough, and hand, foot, and mouth disease.
This combination of illnesses has been dubbed a "quadruple whammy" by some parents, evoking memories of the difficulties faced during the height of the pandemic.
One parent, surnamed Lee, who is an office worker working in Seoul, shared his experience of dealing with multiple infections.
"My child caught hand, foot, and mouth disease and then tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after,” he said. “It's incredibly challenging for working parents to manage these recurring illnesses and I wish the government can consider these challenges when it tries to address the country's low birth rate.”