DOH data shows COVID-19 cases among children rose by almost 30% amid Delta variant threat

The number of COVID-19 cases among children in the country increased by almost 30% amid the threat of the more transmissible Delta variant, data from the Department of Health showed.

According to Joseph Morong's "24 Oras" report, GMA News Research analyzed Department of Health data which showed COVID-19-hit children aged below 17 rose by 29.59% from 7,993 in the period of July 7 to July 20,2021 from 10,358 in the period of July 21 to August 3.

It was in the month of July when the Philippines first detected the Delta variant, which is believed to be 50% more contagious than other coronavirus variants.

On August 3, 6,879 fresh cases of COVID-19 were reported. Of the number, 10.78% or 742 cases were those aged under 17.

Of the 742 cases, 21 cases are infants; 52 are one-year-olds; 20 are two-year-olds; and 28 are three-year-olds.

Meanwhile, 21 cases or 10% of the 216 Delta variant cases are composed of kids, who are yet to be included in the government's vaccination program.

According to Dr. Jocelyn Eusebio, chief of Philippine Pediatric Society, children have strong resistance against COVID-19 but they could still be more vulnerable against Delta coronavirus variant.

"Mas malakas ang resistensya nila sa COVID-19... ibang kalaban ang Delta," she said.

[They have strong resistance against COVID-19... Delta variant is stronger.]

She also urged to monitor flu-like symptoms among children amid the Delta variant threat.

The Philippine General Hospital in Manila previously reported that all of the eight intensive care unit beds for children are at full capacity as they treat more pediatric patients.

PGH spokesman Jonas del Rosario said some of the COVID-19 cases among children had underlying diseases. —Consuelo Marquez/NB, GMA News