THE NUMBER of children below five years old infected with Covid19 surged to 632 from January 24 to 30, the Department of Health said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergerie said there is a decline in the number of cases among Filipinos aged 60 years old and above. However, the health department observed a general increase in the cases in the pediatric age group.

She noted that the cases of infected kids are higher than the 554 seven-day moving average recorded during the peak of Delta cases in September 2021.

“Bagaman nakikita natin na bumababa na ang bilang ng kaso sa iba’t ibang age groups, tumaas naman ang kaso ng mga kabataang mas bata sa lima kung ikukumpara noong nagkaroon ng Delta situation,” Vergerie said.

“Gayunpaman, hindi tayo dapat mangamba dahil patuloy ang DOH sa paggawa at pagpapatupad ng measures at protocols para mapigilan pa ang paglaganap ng virus,” she added.

The health official also urged parents and guardians to immediately get their children vaccinated.

“Ang kailangan bigyan ng mas madaming proteksiyon ang mga bata para patuloy po nilang ma-enjoy ang paglabas ng bahay, makipag-interact sa mga bata sa kanilang lugar o di kaya’y makapasok na sa eskuwelahan,” she stressed.

The vaccination of kids aged 5 to 11 will initially be done at the Philippine Heart Center, Philippine Children’s Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital, Manila Zoo, SM North EDSA and Fil Oil Gym in San Juan City on February 7.

Meanwhile, the government targets to inoculate infants and toddlers aged 0 to 4 by April 2022.