SC Department of Health. the doctor warns of the “perfect storm” for COVID-19 infection in children

COLUMBIA, SC (WCSC) – A South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control physician said the state sees the highest number of new cases in people under 20.

Dr Jonathan Knoche said young people aged 11 to 20 accounted for the highest number of new cases, but said the highest percentage of new cases ranged from the 0 to 10 age group. years.

“One of the biggest concerns about these figures is that many of these cases are of those who are too young to be vaccinated,” he said. “So they trust my parents, older siblings, the rest of the eligible population in their community, to protect them by masking vaccination and other safety protocols.”

Knoche attributed the increase in cases among younger people, in part, to children who were together in groups at school.

“What we are seeing, I think, across the state right now is in an environment with a highly transmissible Delta variety of COVID-19, where children are now congregating at school, with some people wearing masks , but I would say there is probably a large proportion who do not wear masks. It is a perfect storm for more cases of COVID in children, ”said Knoche.

He cited a study by researchers in North Carolina and Georgia that stated that constant use of face masks could prevent up to 50% of cases that could otherwise occur among school children. But he said it is difficult to pinpoint why the state has such a high infection rate compared to other states.

Explaining a recent update to the guide for schools, he said the latest DHEC recommendations that students keep a distance of three to six feet to avoid being considered a “close contact” more closely aligned with the which were recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

He said there is no good evidence that the Delta variant causes more serious illnesses in any age group, including children.

“The concern is because it’s much more transmissible, replicates to the population and spreads to the population much more quickly,” he said. “So by number, by volume, we have more pediatric cases.”

He noted that most children are recovering from COVID-19 infection, but also said that there have been 15 deaths in the pediatric population so far from COVID-19, while in the last year none have died. for the flu.

The doctor addresses questions about ivermectin

Knoche answered questions about the drug ivermectin, which is largely used as an antiparasitic treatment in cattle and for select applications in humans. Some have stated that it could be a possible preventative agent for COVID-19.

“Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by the FDA for the prevention or treatment of COVID-19,” he said.

He also said the National Institutes of Health has not found enough data to recommend the drug as a treatment for COVID-19.

“While it is being investigated, taking a drug for an unapproved use can be dangerous,” he said. “Right now, ivermectin is approved for use in humans at very specific doses, mainly for some parasitic worm infections, but not to treat COVID-19 and ingest large doses of this drug, as has happened with people. “Taking ivermectin drugs for highly concentrated animals can be dangerous and cause serious harm. The safest and most effective way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated as soon as possible.”

Unvaccinated people continue to account for the majority of new cases, hospitalizations and deaths

He also said that the latest DHEC analyzes showed that from July 16 to August 15, 86% of new cases, 72% of hospitalizations and 78% of deaths were from those who had not yet been vaccinated. .

He called this study “further proof” that vaccinations work and that increasing the state’s vaccination rate “will further contribute to stopping the spread of COVID-19.”

“So many of these cases can be prevented through vaccines and masks,” Knoche said. But he said additional factors would also help prevent the spread, such as maintaining physical distance, washing hands frequently and self-isolating if not feeling well.

Knoche said DHEC is studying data to determine the percentage of people who have had COVID-19 in the past but have been reinfected. He said the “vast majority” of reinfections occur in unvaccinated people, but could not provide an exact percentage, and said the agency was still looking at the data.

“We’ve already said that and we’ll keep saying it: We can end this pandemic if we increase vaccination rates,” Knoche said. “To do that, we need all South Carolinians to do their part to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

DHEC reported more than 16,000 new cases of COVID-19 based on data collected over the weekend. The agency reported more than 5,100 new cases on Wednesday.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the state had recorded more than 740,000 cases and 10,684 deaths attributed to COVID-19.

The director of Public Health of the DHEC, Dr. Brannon Traxler said last week that vaccines are “how we end this pandemic” and said he hoped the FDA’s recent approval of the Pfizer vaccine would push those who have been on the fence to get the vaccine. tan.

Traxler insisted the three vaccines available, the Pfizer and Modern two-dose vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson single vaccine “are safe and effective.”

“As we have said for many months and will continue to say, we need as many people as possible to vaccinate you because it not only protects you. It helps protect our children under the age of 12, who still cannot get the vaccine, ”he said.

DHEC officials also lobbied for school students and teachers to wear face masks.

Two Charleston County schools were the last to announce that they would become virtual starting Wednesday as the number of COVID-19 cases or quarantines increased.

These two schools, Charles Pinckney and Sullivan’s Island Elementary, joined Early College High School in the Charleston County School District.

THE LIST: Districts in the Netherlands, schools announce their virtualization plans

In addition to these four Charleston County schools, four Georgetown County schools, Dorchester District 4 and Colleton County School District have also been virtualized.

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