Only five children and youth in B.C. have tested positive for COVID-19

Only five children and youth in B.C. have tested positive for COVID-19 so this could mean easing of some restrictions for kids in the near future.

Health officials don’t know why children and youth seem to be much less susceptible to the virus, explained Dr. Meena Dawar, Richmond’s medical health officer, but it might mean playgrounds could re-open.

“While the kids can play safely, it’s the adults who will have to watch our social distance in that playground,” she said.

Dawar was taking part in the Richmond COVID-19 Community Task Force on Monday morning, which brings together – via Zoom – local politicians, Richmond city staff and business leaders to provide updates on how the pandemic is affecting both the public and private sector.

Playgrounds in Richmond have been closed and behind yellow caution tape since March 20, and on March 23 playing fields and courts were also closed to the public.

Opening of playgrounds could be followed by the opening of some indoor venues, Dawar added, to see how they can be safely operated without crowds.

But any easing of restrictions will have to “incremental and thoughtful,” she said.

Dawar said this same observation about children being less susceptible was seen in China. Therefore, the decision was made to test a lot of children in B.C., but the virus has not turned up in great numbers.

COVID-19 is different from SARS and other serious viruses which seem to disappear after a while – this virus is expected to be around for a long time, Dawar said.

“So, we have to learn to live with it and figure out what a new normal may be,” she said. “How to get lives back with some level of social and economic activity without letting the virus get out of control.”

With what appears to be a flattening of the curve – fewer cases testing positive every day – the health-care sector is planning to resume elective surgeries and cancer treatment soon, Dawar said.

There have been about 1,600 test-positive COVID-19 cases and 81 deaths so far, and the most vulnerable group has been seniors.

But because there is no significant population immunity nor a vaccine in the near future, everyone must “learn to live with the new normal,” Dawar said.

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