The COVID-19 situation in the state of Kerala is once again in the spotlight. With the case graph alarmingly spiraling up post the Onam festival, Health Minister Veena George has cautioned the public to maintain extreme vigil when in public spaces or workplaces and to take all individual precautions to prevent themselves from being infected. The state has also reinforced lockdown on Sundays. Four children under the age of 18 have died so far in Kerala due to the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

While speaking to media persons on Friday, Veena said that children should be given extreme care as they are most vulnerable to infection now. "Parents should extra vigilant and ensure that they did not let children accompany them for shopping or other trips outside," she said. Children, infected with COVID-19, develop MIS-C within 3-4 weeks. The symptom of MIS-C is continuous fever and the subsequent inflammation. Part of the body such as kidneys, heart, lungs, skin, or eyes is likely to become inflamed and get enlarged. Reportedly, over 300 children have been diagnosed with MIS-C of which 95 percent were confirmed to have COVID-19. The Covid fatality rate among children below the age of 10 is 0.004 percent in Kerala. 39 Children have died of COVID-19 in the age group of 0-19 till date in the state.