Children can have both COVID-19 antibodies, virus in their system simultaneously: Study
Washington: Children may still have the potential to transmit the novel coronavirus even if they have a measurable immune response, according to a new study which says the virus and antibodies can coexist in young patients.
The study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics, used a retrospective analysis of 6,369 children tested for the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and 215 patients who underwent antibody testing at the Children's National Hospital in the US between March 13 and June 21.
According to the scientists, including those from the hospital, 33 of the 215 patients had co-testing for both the virus and antibodies during their COVID-19 disease course, with nine of the 33 showing presence in their blood while also later testing positive for the virus.
"With most viruses, when you start to detect antibodies, you won't detect the virus anymore. But with COVID-19, we're seeing both," said Burak Bahar, lead author of the study from the Children's National Hospital.
According to Bahar, the next phase of research will be to test if the virus that is present alongside the antibodies can be transmitted to other people.
She added that it also remains unknown if the antibodies detected in the children correlate with immunity, and how long antibodies and potential protection from reinfection last.
When the scientists assessed the timing of viral clearance and immunologic response, they found the average time from viral positivity to negativity, when the virus can no longer be detected, was 25 days.
The median time to seropositivity, or the presence of antibodies in the blood, was 18 days, while the median time to reach adequate levels of neutralising antibodies was 36 days.
Neutralising antibodies are important in potentially protecting a person from re-infection of the same virus.
The scientists also found that patients six through 15 years old took a longer time to clear the virus compared to patients 16 through 22 years old.
Females in the 6-15 age group also took longer to clear the virus than males, they added.
While there is emerging data regarding this timing in adults with COVID-19, the researchers said there is far less data when it comes to the pediatric population.
"The takeaway here is that we can't let our guard down just because a child has antibodies or is no longer showing symptoms," Bahar said, adding that the continued role of good hygiene and social distancing "remains critical."
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka activates emergency centres over Middle East airspace closures
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government has fully activated the SEOC and all DEOCs which are functioning 24x7 to monitor the situation and extend necessary assistance following airspace closures in several Middle Eastern countries, Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said on Sunday.
The action has been taken on the direction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in view of the prevailing situation that has disrupted international flight operations.
"In view of the prevailing situation in certain Middle Eastern countries, several nations have declared NOTAM (closure of airspace), resulting in significant disruption to international flight operations," Gowda said in a press note.
He said as per the latest advisory issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, airspace over Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, UAE and Qatar remains closed up to March 2.
Gowda said that due to the disruption in air travel, a large number of passengers from various countries have been stranded in affected Middle Eastern countries, particularly in UAE (Dubai).
The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and District Emergency Operations Centres (DEOCs) are regularly updating advisories issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and Indian Embassies/Consulates in the affected countries, the minister said, adding that the Karnataka Resident Commissioner has also activated the Karnataka Bhavan team in New Delhi for coordination.
Embassy- and Consulate-wise helpline numbers and advisories have been disseminated to all DEOCs and widely circulated through official social media platforms (X and WhatsApp, etc) for public awareness, he said.
The SEOC and the Office of the Karnataka Resident Commissioner, New Delhi, are in close coordination with the Rapid Response Cell of the Ministry of External Affairs, the minister explained.
Requests for assistance received at the SEOC and DEOCs are being compiled and forwarded to the Karnataka Resident Commissioner's Office and the Ministry of External Affairs, he said.
He urged the people from Karnataka in the affected Middle Eastern countries to strictly adhere to the guidelines and advisories issued by the local governments and to contact the respective Indian Embassies/Consulates through helpline numbers and register on the Sarthi Sahayata portal and other official portals of the Embassies/Consulates concerned.
Gowda said he and Siddaramaiah are continuously monitoring the situation and further updates will be issued as necessary.
