Thread by @DrRajathAthreya

#OmicronI #Paediatric infections and admissions 1/n

What do we know from South Africa
-7% of infected kids needed hospitalisation
-18% of all hospital admissions were paediatric
-Paediatric admissions peaked prior to adult admissions
- 0 to 4 group needed most admissions

2/n South Africa (Contd)
- Short admission (mean of 3.2 days)
- 92% needed only ward care (NO HDU/ICU)
-25% needed some oxygen
- 6% needed ventilator care
Overall: early sharp increase in admissions especially 0-4 yo, but most needed short hospital stay and did well.

3/n UK data (so far)
- Positivity rate highest in Preschoolers (<6Y)
- 7% of <6Y infected
- <4 yo more admissions than any other paediatric age group (X3 other children)
- Slight increase in paediatric admissions compared to earlier wave (for every 100 now 107)

4/n Inferences for #Omicronindia
-Highly contagious but less severe illness
-Our superspreader events have not stopped
- Need to work towards manageable number of admissions
- Loss of HCW to quarantine and illness = compromised care of COVID and non COVID illnesses

5/n Inferences for #Omicronindia
- May see spike in paediatric infections early
- Spurt in hospitalisation of very young, but short, manageable illness, very few will need ICU
A no panic but no complacency scenario

n/n #Omicronindia
In metros and high TPR zones
- Restriction of people to people contact: religious, political & social gatherings including weddings
- Online classes
And
Report symptoms, get tested, isolate = it is a collective responsibility
Keep up the pace of vaccination

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