Permanent Secretary for Health Doctor James Fong says the deaths of the three children from COVID-19 announced today is a sad reminder of the legacy of COVID 19.
He stresses that as cases increase to very high numbers in the community, our most vulnerable are at increased risk of being infected and suffering from severe disease.
Doctor Fong says severe disease is rare in children but this risk increases should they have significant underlying health conditions.
He stresses that by vaccinating and maintaining our COVID safe measures, we protect the vulnerable among us.
Doctor Fong adds if community transmission is high enough, rare outcomes will become more frequent.
He stresses that looking after the vulnerable needs to be a community-wide effort.
Doctor Fong further says the public needs to be aware of the symptoms of severe COVID-19 disease and early presentation to a health facility when severe symptoms are present are critical protection measures that we should know and act upon.
The severe symptoms to look out for are: having trouble breathing (shortness of breath or difficulty breathing), ongoing chest pain, severe headache, confusion, inability to stay awake or wake up, pale, grey or blue-coloured skin, lips or fingernails, worsening weakness and coughing blood.
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