Increased severity, more hospitalizations in children: preliminary information on Omicron from South Africa.

Preliminary reports from South Africa indicate a sharp rise in hospital admissions in Covid-positive children above the age of two, at a time when the Omicron variant is sweeping through the country.

A clinical summary presented by a group of physicians and public health experts to the World Health Organization (WHO) has pointed to a sharp rise in hospital admissions in Covid-positive kids above the age of two in South Africa.

This has led to speculation that the severity of the disease has increased among children, at a time when the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is sweeping through the country. So far, children and adolescents had shown stronger immune response to Covid-19 and experienced mild to moderate illnesses with no dangerous complications.

However, there is no evidence of increase in severity in adult and most of the patients are asymptomatic, doctors have told WHO.

The same group of experts told the WHO in a virtual meeting that South Africa’s Gauteng province has witnessed an increase in cases, while Northern Cape is the only exception to the spike in infections. 

Importantly, doctors have indicated that there is a sharp uptick in weekly positivity rate, warning that surge preparedness must not be ignored.

The clinical physicians have informed the WHO that analysis of SGTF or S Gene Target Failure and severity will be done this week.

PROTECT CHILDREN’

Meanwhile, the WHO office for Europe said Tuesday that children in the 5 to 14 age group now account for the highest rates of Covid-19 cases in the region.

He stressed the continued threat from the widespread delta variant, and noted the new omicron variant has so far accounted for 432 confirmed cases in 21 countries in the region.

Kluge urges countries to "protect children and schools" amid rapid rise in cases among the young in the region, and said the incidence of Covid-19 was two to three times higher among young children than the average population in some places.

Children have tended to face less severe cases than more vulnerable populations like old9er people, health care workers and people with weaker immune systems.

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