Mysore/Mysuru: Columbia Asia Hospitals, Mysuru in association with Delhi Public School (DPS), Mysuru, had recently organised a webinar titled ‘Tackling COVID Third Wave’ to safeguard children from the anticipated third wave. The virtual session was attended by about 124 parents, students and teachers. 

The session was led by Dr. Bhuvaneshwar, Consultant Paediatrician at Columbia Asia Hospitals, where he threw light on how the anticipated COVID-19 third wave might affect children and the measures to mitigate the risks. Questions about identification of COVID symptoms in children and precautions to be taken to prevent it were also discussed.

Dr. Bhuvaneshwar said: “This pandemic has disrupted all our lives in the last 16 months. Though a few children got infected by COVID-19 in the first and second wave, most of them have exhibited mild to moderate symptoms or were asymptomatic. With the expected third wave, it is important to safeguard our children from the virus and it is our responsibility to take precautions.”

Practicing COVID appropriate behaviour like maintaining social distancing, hand hygiene, wearing masks and avoiding mass gatherings unless very necessary were crucial, he said and added that vaccinating family members will also help in controlling the spread of infection.  He encouraged children to follow a healthy diet to boost immunity. 

Pointing out that the State Government has set up a Task Force to create additional paediatric wards and COVID Care Centres for children across the districts, Dr. Bhuvaneshwar said that the District Administration was already getting ready with number of beds, manpower and resources required as a precautionary measure to tackle the third wave. 

“Going by the third wave cases in other countries, where more number of children got infected, we may require more hospital beds, manpower and medicines,” Dr. Bhuvaneshwar added.

Delhi Public School Principal Namrata Sharma said the session helped in educating parents, teachers as well as students.