"Symptoms in children are usually milder, and most of them do not experience any symptoms or (they are) asymptomatic patients," she noted during the Health Protocol Monitoring at School Talkshow, held online on Monday.
"This means they, or even we, would not know that they have COVID-19," she added.
In view of frequent spells of coughing and sneezing among children amid the changing season, a COVID-19 examination is important to differentiate between COVID-19 and flu, which often occurs once the rainy season starts, she informed.
COVID-19 testing can help parents strengthen the protection of children, especially those aged under six who cannot be vaccinated yet.
Parents can utilize antigen and PCR tests to confirm whether children are infection-free in a valid manner.
Testing must be done as soon as possible after children show COVID-19 symptoms, such as feeling unwell, sore throat, fever, cough, and sneezing.
Infected people can also experience unique symptoms, such as diarrhea and loss of smell.
“If it (the test) is positive (for COVID-19), we can immediately conduct tracing," Werdhani said.
Moreover, COVID-19 testing can be an instrument for schools and the government for positive case tracking after children come in close contact with people inside and outside of schools.
During the talk show, Wedhani urged parents to take children home as soon as school is over to reduce physical contact with other people, which can potentially cause virus transmission.
It is also important to ask children whether or not they have had close contact with any adults or peers who are suffering from a bout of coughing and sneezing, she added.
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Translator: Hreeloita D S, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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