DOH probes case of toddler’s COVID infection
CNN Philippines – The Department of Health (DOH) has not ruled out the possibility that a two-year-old boy, who reportedly tested positive in a COVID-19 antigen test after a mall visit, may have contracted the virus at home.
According to DOH spokesperson Maria Rosario Vergeire, the agency has already launched an investigation into the case, stressing the source of the toddler’s infection has yet to be determined.
“We already instructed our regional office to look into this matter pero kailangan maintindihan na maraming pwedeng maging factor and reasons kung bakit nagkasakit ang bata,” she said during a virtual briefing.
“Hindi lang ang pagpunta sa mall, maaaring dun sa bahay dun na siya nahawa. May factors na kailangang tingnan,” Vergeire said.
The issue emerged after a doctor posted on a social media site that a two-year-old boy was infected with COVID, three days after visiting a shopping mall.
Vergeire said the DOH will provide more information about the case in the coming days.
However, she reminded the parents and guardians of children their responsibility to ensure they strictly follow health protocols, especially when visiting public places.
“The objective of having children out is for them to have sunlight, have exercise, but not to go to these crowded malls,” she said.
The pandemic response task force earlier allowed minors in malls in the capital after the movement restrictions shifted to Alert Level 2. \
In a separate interview, Dr. Benjamin Co, infectious diseases specialist, said officials must “check the veracity of that report”.
“In the first place, there are many places you can get COVID. You know, let’s face it there are many loopholes in the doctor… I’m not against… I’m not saying the doctor is wrong. I’m just saying the doctor should be careful in saying that the boy got it from the mall,” he told CNN Philippines.
“You have to find out. How did the parents go there? Number one, baka (maybe) they took public transportation. Number two, is there anybody else sick in the house? Number three, are the parents vaccinated?” Co added.
