Pune: Ahead of third wave, NGO starts dedicated COVID center for children

Centre for Youth Development & Activities (CYDA), an NGO has started a dedicated COVID center for children in Pune ahead of the third wave. "This is a 260-bed Covid care centre for children. We've done all arrangements for their enjoyment. Oxygen facility is also available here, said Pravin Jadhav, NGO worker.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday said we have to be alert to protect children from the possible third wave. The first wave hit senior citizens, the second one targeted youth and now children are under threat.

Maharashtra government has directed health authorities to be alert and appealed to people to consult doctors immediately if children show any symptoms. Addressing over 6,300 paediatricians virtually, CM Thackeray on Sunday said the immediate diagnosis was the need of the hour. A statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) later said that paediatricians were advised on how to identify mild, medium and severe symptoms of coronavirus infection among children.

Suhas Prabhu, head of the COVID-19 pediatric task force, said in a majority of cases, the only symptom may be fever with complete recovery being made in a week''s time. "The other possibility was COVID pneumonia and infection from COVID positive mothers after the third trimester. Ninety per cent cases are likely to be asymptomatic, 5 percent moderate and 1-2 percent pneumonia," Prabhu said, adding that pediatric COVID care hospitals, pediatric ICUs and high dependency units were being set up in the state in view of a possible third wave. 

Maharashtra | Centre for Youth Development & Activities (CYDA), an NGO, starts a dedicated COVID center for children in Pune.

This is a 260-bed Covid care centre for children. We've done all arrangements for their enjoyment. O2 facility is also here: Pravin Jadhav, NGO worker pic.twitter.com/XqQ40fGgF3

— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2021