Consultant Paediatrician at Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children Dr. Hasitha Liyanaarachchi says the spread of the coronavirus amongst children has increased in comparison to previous occasions.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau today, Dr. Liyanaarachchi said the Omicron variant is fast spreading among children.
He said only three to four COVID-infections were reported at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in December while the number of infections has increased to between 40 and 50 by the end of January.
Dr. Liyanaarachchi said 20 to 30 infections are admitted daily at COVID-wards.
He said as of today, 40 to 50 children are receiving treatment.
He said the impact of the Omicron variant on healthy children is less adding the most common symptom is a cough, cold and mild fever.
Dr. Liyanaarachchi said within the past two weeks five children succumbed to the coronavirus while receiving intensive care unit treatment adding four children were suffering from pre-existing conditions.
