OCTA: COVID-19 cases among children in NCR increased by 4-5% in a month

COVID-19 cases among children, those aged 17 and below, in the National Capital Region increased by four to five percent during the last month, Dr. Guido David of the OCTA Research Group said Tuesday.

“Tumaas ang pediatric, ang cases ng mga bata. Noong July 1, 7% ng cases sa Metro Manila ay mga 17 and below. Pero as of latest data, umabot na siya ng 11 to 12% ng cases ay mga bata,” David said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(Pediatric cases are increasing. On July 1, 7% of COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila were 17-year-olds and younger. But according to the latest data, this has risen to 11 to 12%.)

“Although there are more vaccinated people now, those unvaccinated are being admitted to intensive care units, and there are a lot of children getting infected,” David added.

Additionally, ICU utilization in Metro Manila, which is already under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) that only allows essential activities until August 20, was already at 72%.

Having said that, David said that it was important for people to observe minimum public health standards, including not engaging in social gatherings. He also called for "stricter restrictions" if ever the ECQ will be extended.

“If we are going to extend the ECQ, we can impose stricter restrictions. We still receive reports of social gatherings being held, so we appeal to our people to refrain from attending social gatherings,” David said.

Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire, for her part, said now was not the time to vaccinate children against COVID-19.

“Adults in the household should be fully vaccinated to reduce the chance of children being infected with COVID-19,” Vergeire said during a Palace briefing.

The Philippines has fully vaccinated 12 million Filipinos so far, behind the target of fully vaccinating 76.3 million by the end of the year to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19. — DVM, GMA News