Pediatric Covid cases on the rise, nine admitted at Ruia; tests awaited for 8 more

Tirupati: Nine children aged 4-10 years were admitted to the S.V.R. Ruia Government General Hospital here on Sunday due to Covid-19, while the test results of at least eight others in the same age group are awaited.

Confirming the development, District Medical and Health Officer Dr U. Srihari said that the children testing positive for Covid is a cause for concern, but all arrangements have been to handle the pediatric Covid-19 cases effectively.

“A special pediatric Covid ward has been set up at the Ruia hospital. We are closely monitoring the health of Covid-19 infected children and there is nothing to worry about their health because we are giving best treatment to them,” the DMHO added.

Ruia Hospital Superintendent Dr T. Bharathi said nine children were under admission at the hospital, of whom three were being treated in the ICU ward.

“As of now, every child is doing well and there is nothing to worry about their health. We have created a separate Covid ward and are admitting children who are symptomatic. We have earmarked 70% of the total beds in the pediatric block for Covid cases and 30% for non-Covid cases,” she explained.

According to sources, the hospital administration has set up a special pediatric Covid-19 ward with a capacity of 255 beds on the hospital premises. At present, there are 150 oxygen beds and 55 non- oxygen beds in the pediatric block and pediatricians have been roped in to closely monitor and provide treatment to the inmates of the Covid ward.