Puducherry, July 15(BPNS)

Sixteen children aged between 1 and 8 years are under treatment in various hospitals of the Union Territory of Puducherry after tested Covid -19 positive. This was announced by the Director, Health and Family Welfare, Government of Puducherry, Dr. S. Mohankumar in a statement.

According to the Director, 12 children are aged between 1 and 5 years while the rest are above the age of five. The health director in the statement said that five newborns to Covid positive mothers have been tested and one has been tested negative. The results of the other four are being awaited.

The health director in the statement also said that several children in the Union Territory of Puducherry were affected with Covid-19 during the first and second wave of the pandemic.

Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research( JIPMER) have also reported cases of children turning Covid positive. The institute said that children who are brought to the medical college for other ailments tested positive.

Chief Minister N Rangasamy who is looking after the health portfolio has directed the health and family welfare department to take steps to prevent children contracting the disease.