Increase in COVID-19 Child Deaths... "Early Response Is Key"

On the 17th, when the number of new COVID-19 cases surged to 180,000, citizens were waiting for testing at the screening clinic of Songpa-gu Public Health Center in Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases increases due to the resurgence, cases of pediatric patients dying from the virus are also on the rise. Experts emphasize that rapid initial response is crucial for children, as their symptoms can suddenly worsen.

Cases of pediatric COVID-19 deaths have increased significantly since the resurgence began in earnest last month. As of the 18th, there have been a total of 29 COVID-19 deaths among children aged 0-9 since January 2020, with 6 of these (20.7%) occurring since last month.

Most pediatric deaths occurred within 1-2 days after being transferred to the emergency room due to a sudden worsening of symptoms while receiving home treatment following confirmation. According to health authorities, pediatric patient A, who was receiving home treatment after testing positive on the 12th of this month, was transferred to the emergency room on the 14th and died the next day, the 15th. Children B and C, who tested positive on the 11th of last month and were also classified as home treatment cases, suddenly deteriorated and were transferred to the emergency room, where they died on the 12th and 13th, respectively.

Children under 9 years old are often unvaccinated against COVID-19 and are not eligible for treatment drugs. As of midnight today, the vaccination rate for children aged 5-11 is only 1.7% for the first dose and 1.2% for the second dose. Oral antiviral Paxlovid can only be administered to those aged 12 and older, and Lagevrio is for those 18 and older. Jeong Ki-seok, Chair of the National Infectious Disease Crisis Response Advisory Committee, stated, "Since the Omicron wave, the number of pediatric and adolescent COVID-19 patients has increased, leading to deaths. If guardians or children wish to be vaccinated, the government must thoroughly and promptly provide information to ensure safe vaccination."

Experts point out that early response is key to preventing pediatric deaths, but current measures remain insufficient. Baek Soon-young, Emeritus Professor at the Catholic University Medical School, said, "Most recent pediatric deaths have been due to seizures caused by fever. If the golden time is not missed and seizures are suppressed early, death can be prevented." He added, "Although special pediatric beds have been secured, it is necessary to carefully check for any regional imbalances."

There are also calls for the government to disclose clearer and more detailed information regarding pediatric deaths. Cheon Eun-mi, Professor of Respiratory Medicine at Ewha Mokdong Hospital, said, "The possibility of death solely from COVID-19 among children is very low relative to the population, but when healthy children are simply reported as 'died from COVID-19,' parents become anxious. The government should not just say 'pediatric death' but explain the patient's condition, symptoms, and progression leading to death so that citizens and medical staff can understand and avoid such situations."