In a worrying trend from Maharashtra, more 8,000 children tested positive for COVID 19 in the state’s Ahmednagar district in the month of May. This comes amid fears that a third wave may hit India later this year and may possibly affect children more. 

The extremely high infection rate in children as well as in
teenagers was recorded in Ahmednagar earlier this month, amounting to almost
10% of all COVID-19 cases in the district, which has led to the district
administration approaching paediatricians in an attempt to ensure the latter
are ready for a possible third wave, as per a report by NDTV.

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“In May alone 8,000 kids got positive. This is worrying”,
the report quoted Ahmednagar district chief Rajendra Bhosale as saying.

A third wave, which can hit towards the end of July or the
beginning of August gives district and state authorities about two months to prepare,
including making necessary arrangements such as setting up adequate supply of
medical oxygen, drugs and beds for patients.

“During the second wave, there was a shortage of beds
and oxygen. So, we need to avoid that during the third wave and hence need to
fully prepare ourselves” MLA Sangram Jagtap, representing the Ahmednagar City
constituency, was quoted as saying.

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In Maharashtra’s Sangli district, a COVID-19 ward has been prepared
especially for children, with five young patients already admitted to the facility.

The state saw one of the first COVID-19 spikes in the
country during the second wave, leading to rising numbers of patients and
troubling healthcare system across the state.