As the COVID cases in Taiwan continue to climb, so have the number of related deaths. While most of the victims are over the age of 60, young children are also at risk of developing severe symptoms.
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Taiwan's wave of Omicron cases is taking a toll on young children. At least six young children have already died due to COVID-19 in Taiwan. Five of these cases suffered from serious brain inflammation after contracting the disease.
There are fourteen other young children with serious symptoms of COVID, and almost half of them are already experiencing brain inflammation.
Doctor Li Ping-ying says that brain inflammation usually occurs three to four days after contracting COVID in severe cases. He says this timeline is similar in severe cases of other viruses.
Statistics show that in the US, the COVID death rate in children under 18 is five in 100,000. In Japan, that rate for children under 10 jumps to 55 in 100,000, while in Hong Kong the rate for children under 11 is 10 in 100,000. Taiwan hovers near the US, with the COVID death rate in children under 10 at five in 100,000.
Doctors are still researching whether these deaths in young children, especially those with brain inflammation, are linked to genetics. Pediatrician Chiu Nan-chang recommends that children who meet the age requirements get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Vaccination has been proven to lower the risk of developing severe symptoms. Chiu says that young children with high fevers, especially over 41 degrees, need immediate medical attention.
Other doctors say that besides high fevers, uncontrollable shaking, unsteady walking, and disoriented thinking can also be precursors to brain inflammation. They say that parents should be aware of these symptoms so that their child can see a doctor before their condition takes a turn for the worse.