New Delhi: Amid apprehensions that the deadly coronavirus might mutate in future and pose threat to children, the Centre on Monday said that there is no indication as of now that children will be severely affected in the possible third wave of Covid-19.

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"It has been said that children will be infected the most in the third wave but Paediatrics Association has said that this is not based on facts. It might not impact children so people should not fear," Dr Randeep Guleria said at a presser of the Health Ministry on Monday.

Talking about the effect of the pandemic on children and young people, AIIMS, Delhi director Randeep Guleria noted, Children suffered collateral damage due to mental stress, smartphone addiction and education challenges amid the ongoing pandemic.

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Recently, the country's apex child rights body said the Centre and states should ramp up their preparations to protect children and neonatals.

However, experts have already called for preparations for the third wave of Covid-19, which they predict will hit India later this year. They have also warned that children would be affected by the third wave.

The government had earlier said that children are not immune from the infection, but the impact is minimal.

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"If children get affected by Covid, either there will be no symptoms or there will be minimal symptoms. They do not require hospitalisation generally," Niti Aayog (health) member VK Paul had said during a press briefing of the Union Health Ministry.

Amid apprehension of a third wave later this year or early next year, states have already started preparing, focussing mostly on protecting the children.

In India, 26% of the population is less than 14 years of age and nearly seven per cent are less than five years old.

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Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry said that a steady decline in daily new Covid-19 cases has been observed since the last 17 days in India.

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