Over 500 children tested positive for COVID-19 since March

A total of 537 children between the ages of 0 to 14 have tested positive for COVID-19 since Guyana recorded its first case in March 2020.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony on Wednesday provided a breakdown of the cases.

“In terms of the age category from 0 to five, we have 114 children who have tested positive over the duration since we have started and between the ages of 5 to 9, we have 176 children, and between the ages of 10 and 14, we have 247 children,” the Health Minister revealed during his daily COVID-19 update.

According to Dr Anthony, there are no reports of severe illnesses with the children and the majority of those who tested positive were asymptomatic and have already recovered.

In terms of deaths, a six-day-old baby with a heart condition, and an 11-year-old, with Leukemia, were recorded as the country’s only deaths as it relates to children.

Meanwhile, there is no vaccine available to immunise children against COVID-19; the Health Minister explained that the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines, which were granted emergency authorisation, cannot be used to immunise children.

He further stated that the vaccines only cater for persons 16 years and older.

However, Pfizer has started clinical trials for children ages 15 to 12 and within two months, another trial will begin for children ages 12 to 5.

“That trial between 15 to 12, that one has started, but it hasn’t been completed and, because there isn’t any data, that is why it is not allowed for children to be vaccinated at this time and of course, the 12 to 5 age group that trial is yet to be started,” Dr Anthony noted.