Kathmandu: Health experts have warned children aged below 18 years and youths under 40 years too are at high risk from the UK variant of the coronavirus that is spreading in the country of late.
The UK variant is more contagious, says virologist Luna Bhatta, adding that children are at high risk as they have weak immunity.
“The new variant is more contagious and can trick the body’s immune system. Children are at a high risk as they have a weak immune system and youth too as they are more outgoing,” Bhatta says.
She stresses that the government should ensure that health protocols are followed in schools as they can be a breeding ground for coronavirus.
Bhatta says children are more vulnerable to catching infection vaccines that have been current in use can’t be administered to people below 18 years.
She suggests people be more careful and abide by coronavirus protocols arguing government can enforce another lockdown to stem the spread of coronavirus.
“Elders and people with chronic illness have been in risk group since the start of the pandemic. Now, a new challenge to protect children and youths has been added,” Bhatta concluded.
The growing number of youths getting admitted to hospitals shows that they too can develop severe symptoms that need immediate medical attention.
People aged over 65 years and those with chronic illness at high risk of developing complexities following coronavirus infection.
However, the growing number of youths getting admitted to hospitals shows that they too can develop severe symptoms that need immediate medical attention.
Data maintained at Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital, Nepal Armed Force (APF) Hospital, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) and Patan Hospital show that the number of youths admitted to the Intensive Care Unit has been increasing.
Spokesperson at the Shukraraj Tropical and Infectious Disease Hospital Dr. Anup Bastola said that elder people were admitted to hospitals at the initial days of the pandemic.
“Youths between 30-35 years of age have been developing serious symptoms of late. Youths are more likely to contract coronavirus as they bluntly flout health protocols,” Bastola said.
Dr. Bastola said that admissions to ICU have been increasing since last week of March, adding that more people are contacting coronavirus they have been failed to abide by health protocols.
“The hospital witnessed a surge in the number of patients since the last week of March as people started flouting health protocols. New coronavirus variant might be also the cause.”
Likewise, the number of youths getting admitted to the Balambu-based APF Hospital has been increasing over past two weeks. Similar is the case with TUTH and Patan Hospital.
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