The
National Institute of Child Health (INSN) based in Lima's San Borja district announced that, over the past month, it has treated 16 children with complex pathologies associated with COVID-19 —eight of whom have been registered during the Independence Day long holiday weekend.
According to the hospital's Epidemiology Department, no new infections were reported in March, April, May, and June.
The epidemiology department reported that eight children aged 4, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13 years old, as well as a 6-month-old baby —from Lima's districts of San Juan de Lurigancho (2), Independencia, Pachacamac, and La Molina, plus 2 from Junin region— are hospitalized in pediatric wards.
Moreover, an infant younger than 11 months —from the district of Ate— has been hospitalized at the COVID-19 Pediatric ICU with symptoms of respiratory failure.
The eight minors are in the vulnerable population; therefore, they have been fighting not only against their pre-existing diseases, but also against the novel coronavirus.
Call on parents
In view of this situation, the INSN specialists expressed their concern over the fact that a significant increase in COVID-19 infections has been observed among children in recent days.
Consequently, they urged parents to support their children in getting their booster shots (the second or third dose).
The experts stated that vaccines are the first line of defense against COVID-19; they are not only effective and efficient, but save lives.
They also reminded people not to let their guard down, wear a facemask, wash their hands, avoid crowded places, and maintain physical distance.
(END) NDP/JAM/RMB/MVB
Published: 8/2/2022