OCTA tells parents to be careful in bringing children outside

Now that there are local cases of the more contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 in the country, the OCTA Research Group cautions parents against exposing children.

Although children are more likely to fight the disease, they can still experience “long COVID” or your COVID-19 symptoms even if they are negative for the virus.

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About 10 percent or 1 in 10 COVID-19s experience long COVID, said OCTA Research fellow Guido David.

“Nakikita natin sa ibang bansa, mataas ang incidence ng infection sa mga bata,” said David.

Recently, the government allowed the release of children aged 5 and above in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.

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Although the government is ready to vaccinate about 39 million children, it has not yet been possible due to the limited supply of the vaccine.

To date, 3 vaccines are being studied for use in minors: Pfizer in ages 12 to 15, Moderna in ages 12 to 17, and Sinovac in ages 3 and up.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Council (MMC) will intensify the implementation of border control, testing, contact tracing, and isolation to prevent the possible spread of the Delta variant.

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OCTA tells parents to be careful in bringing children outside

Implement granular lockdown would be implemented as needed.

So far, 2 cases of Delta variant have been recorded in Manila.

“Pinag-usapan din namin ng mayors, how we can interconnect all our apps here in Metro Manila. Malaking bagay ito for contact tracing,” said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos.

The MMC has also called on the national government to increase the number of contact tracers deployed in Metro Manila.

In Central , daily cases increased in Cebu and Lapu-Lapu City, both of which have “very high risk” infection rates.

In , ICU use is high in Davao City, Tagum and Cagayan de Oro.

Cagayan de Oro is currently in enhanced community quarantine, where 5 cases of Delta variant were recorded.

According to the OCTA report, cases have dropped in the city, but many are still in the ICU.

According to OCTA, quarantine restriction needs to be further tightened in areas with Delta variant cases.

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