As schools reopen for the new academic year, recent reports of rising COVID-19 cases have sparked concern among parents and healthcare professionals. Paediatricians are advising families to follow recommended safety protocols, and maintain good hygiene, especially since seasonal infections tend to increase during the monsoon.

Dr Fazal Nabi, director of Paediatrics at Jaslok Hospital, said, “When we first began seeing COVID-19 symptoms in children, the initial cases were severe and raised significant concerns. However, at present, we’re not observing any severe paediatric cases. In fact, many paediatricians have stopped conducting extensive investigations for simple viral colds. These minor viral infections tend to be self-limiting and resolve within three days. Investigating them unnecessarily often causes undue stress to families.”

“It is quite possible that we are encountering SARS-CoV-2 cases in children presenting with mild symptoms, but we are not always identifying them through laboratory testing. That said, our clinical approach now focuses more on symptom management and less on extensive testing unless,” Dr Nabi explained.