Omikron kills 27 young children, Ministry of Health declares low, 4 years old, dead, parents know late – no vaccine
On April 4, at the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) Dr. Chakrarat Pittayawong-anon, MD. Director of the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Disease Control, announced that the situation of COVID-19 in Thailand now found that there was an increase in infection in young children especially the 0-4 year old group, found that The January 2022 wave of 27 deaths from 0-4 year olds is 23 more than the April 2021 wave of 23 deaths.
“Since the omicron is spreading quickly and is a family infection therefore rarely notice symptoms in children when the child is sick Parents are late It’s also the age that hasn’t been vaccinated. For the group at risk of transmission with the highest infection at this time is Working age group 30-39 years, while teenagers 10-19 years old, although the infection began to decrease because it was a semester break. But it is another group that is at risk of spreading to others. Therefore, vaccination should be emphasized to build immunity and prevent serious illness,” said Dr. Chakrarat.
Dr. Chakrarat said that Risk factors for major outbreaks during Songkran group at risk of severe illness 1. Elderly people who rarely go out bed group May get the infection from caregivers, relatives, visitors 2. Group 608 still working, risk of infection from others, including friends, relatives, including going to crowded places and 3. young children, especially under 5 years old, from the data found that hundreds of deaths 60 per cent had family exposure risk factors, and 40 per cent were unable to identify the source of the disease. As for school-aged children during the semester break, there was a decrease in the likelihood of infection. While working people still have a very high rate of infection. for risk locations activities that risk spreading disease, such as eating Drinking alcohol for a long time Attend events/events, public transport, crowded buses without complying with preventive measures
same day Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, MD. Director-General of the Department of Disease Control said that from assessing the situation of infection in children This morning (April 4, 2022) found that young children had increased infections. but if compared with other groups It was not different. The severity or mortality increased from the outbreak in 2021. In the number of children who died in this round, it was found that Are children with congenital diseases such as heart disease, brain disease, etc.
“So the situation in children is not as severe as last year. but must be careful because the child is not vaccinated Because there is no vaccine for young children. It must be emphasized to parents not to take the child to risky places, crowded places. If sick, take him to the doctor. Parents, babysitters who are close to the child should also be vaccinated,” said Dr Opas.