Filenews 3 January 2022
A record number of hospitalizations of children with coronavirus is recorded in Makarios, with the Director of the Paediatric Clinic of the Hospital, Dr. Avraam Elias, urging parents to vaccinate their children.
"We have nine children hospitalized with COVID-19 right now, aged one month to ten years. Eight are under the age of five. Children are out of danger. The predominant symptom is fever. It's the highest number we've ever had to treat children with coronavirus, the previous number was seven children in the summer," Dr. Elias told CNA.
There is a concern, he said, that there is a large spread of the virus in the community resulting in many children, children who are vulnerable, unvaccinated and are more prone to develop the virus.
"Occupancy is around 90% but if necessary arrangements will be made to accommodate all children with coronavirus because we are the reference centre for the children's population for COVID-19 hospitalization," he noted.
Dr Elias urged all parents to proceed with the vaccination of their children, stating that by not vaccinating "in addition to the health of the children we put at risk, we are also putting at risk the smooth reopening of schools".
Asked, Dr Elias advocated closing schools for a short period of time, stressing that prolonged school closures should not take place.
"I am not in favour of lockdown either, because everyone has to face up to their responsibilities. The vast majority of citizens showed a responsible attitude and were vaccinated and should not pay for the irresponsible attitude of the vast minority who were not vaccinated," he added.
