Chennai: Nearly 300 children and young adults aged below 19 years tested positive for Covid-19 infection in the six days between August 5 and 10 in Bengaluru district in Karnataka. This is the highest number of cases reported among minors in the state till date. 


According to a report in India Today, official data from Bengaluru’s civic body, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), showed that 127 children aged below 10 years and 174 aged between 10 and 19 years have tested positive for the infection between August 5 and 10. 


The report also said that the health department has warned that the cases might rise further if the authorities and people fail to take proper preventive measures. The country is yet to start inoculating children aged below 18 years, and this has increased the risk of children contracting the infection should a third Covid-19 wave comes, the report added.


Also read | Rs 811 Crore Graft Case: TN Anti-Corruption Dept Freezes Former Minister Velumani's Bank Accounts


Quoting an unidentified official from the health department, a News18.com report said that the number will triple within a few days and all one can do to protect the children from the infection is keep them inside the houses as they do not have much immunity compared to others. Experts have warned that the third wave of Covid-19 infection has already started, the report added. 



Quoting sources, the report also said the government could impose a partial lockdown from August 16.

 Meanwhile, Karnataka has already made negative Covid-19 reports or vaccination certificates mandatory for those entering the state from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra due to the rising number of cases in these states. The Bengaluru police have imposed Section 144 in the city to contain the infection. 

The Bengaluru Urban district has also banned the entry of the public and devotees to temples on weekends and public holidays.