Parents should not bring children ages 11 and below to the mall – PMA

Because there is still a COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippine Medical Association (PMA) advises not to include children aged 11 and under in the mall for now.

Dr. Benito Atienza, PMA president, made the call even as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country is declining and quarantine restrictions are being relaxed.

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“Kahit anong level ang ipatupad, ang hiling natin sa mga magulang ay huwag muna dalhin sa mga mall ang ating mga anak… lalo na sa 11 years old pababa,” said Atienza during the Laging Handa briefing on Monday.

“Wala pang available [na bakuna] sa kanila. Ang kailangan ay dalhin sila sa mga park, may social distancing,” he advised.

Recently, it was reported that a two-year-old child tested positive for COVID-19. But the Department of Health said it was an “isolated case.”

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“Just diagnosed a 2-yr old kid positive for COVID-19. Asked if he could’ve been exposed to someone or if they went somewhere. Guess what they did? Went to the mall 3 days ago. Please mag-ingat po tayo (let us be careful),” the doctor said in a social media.

However, the Department of Health said the result of the boy’s test is false positive.

“Baka (It could be) false-positive… They should retest,” Duque told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

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Parents should not bring children ages 11 and below to the mall – PMA

It was found that the child was tested using a rapid antigen test after showing symptoms.

Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 are used to detect antigens or viral proteins in the body which cause an immune response and imply the presence of viral infection, according to the Health Technology Assessment Council.

About 30.4 million Filipinos are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. But it is still far from the vaccinating target of 80% of 109 million by May 9, 2022.

The vaccination for minors ages 12 to 17 began this month.

The quarantine restriction in Metro Manila is on Alert Level 2 until November 30.

Under the Alert Level 2 protocol, minors are allowed inside the mall as long as the accompanying adults or guardian is fully vaccinated.

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