Coronavirus Hong Kong: ‘Omicron strain causes 7 times more deaths among hospitalised children than influenza’
- Study from University of Hong Kong also found 15 per cent of children hospitalised with Omicron BA.2 had developed neurological complications
- But research team says recorded 0.35 per cent fatality rate likely an ‘overestimate’, as many children with mild symptoms stay at home instead of going to hospital
An Omicron sub-variant has led to a sevenfold higher death rate among hospitalised children than influenza, while 15 per cent of young patients had developed neurological complications, according to a study by the University of Hong Kong (HKU).
Based on the observation of 1,147 children aged 11 or below admitted to hospital between February 5 and 28, the study concluded that Omicron BA.2 resulted in seven times more child fatalities than influenza, while no youngsters had reportedly died from the original coronavirus strain or the Alpha variant.
The sub-variant currently accounts for 86 per cent of all new coronavirus cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization.
“The intrinsic severity of Omicron BA.2 in children who had no past Covid-19 or vaccination is not mild, and in fact, they had higher odds of [paediatric intensive care unit] admissions, mechanical ventilation and oxygen use,” it said.
But the research team at HKU said the recorded 0.35 per cent fatality rate was likely an “overestimate” resulting from many Omicron-infected children with mild symptoms being cared for at home instead of being admitted to hospital.
The report also cited the Department of Health’s estimated death rate of 0.02 per cent for the same age group during the study period, which also included cases that were not hospitalised.