The second coronavirus wave seriously threatens the health of young Peruvians, featuring a vertiginous increase in the case of minors between the ages of 12 and 17, a health expert reported on Tuesday.
"In the last two weeks, there has been an increase in figures of approximately 47% for the population between 12 and 17 years old. During the first week, we observed an increase of more than 380 cases and, in the second (week), of more than 600 cases," warned Franklin Mendoza, coordinator of the Pediatric COVID-ICU at the National Institute of Child Health (INSN) in Lima.
In an interview with
Andina news agency, the physician said this growth of cases is given that minors often go out enjoying great freedom and visiting places that host a large concentration of people, such as shopping centers and even places of entertainment.
"They have been given a lot of freedom since January after finishing their academic activities. This population has come out overwhelmingly, hence the significant increase in these figures," he indicated.
No comorbidities
"The important thing here is that it is an age group, whose members do not have comorbidities. Concerning the patients who have arrived at the National Children's Health Institute (...) they are developing severe respiratory symptoms, as they have arrived with asthmatic attacks linked to COVID-19. Right now, we have admitted a 17-year-old adolescent who is on mechanical ventilation (…)," he expressed.
Thus, the expert urged parents not to unnecessarily allow minors to go out and rather to reinforce biosafety measures against COVID-19.
"We are worried that this population could fill intensive care units in February, as is the case of young people who did not have comorbidities but are now in the ICU," he emphasized.
Lastly, he explained that the INSN has 12 beds for the care of COVID-19 patients, which are currently occupied.