721 KIDS IN CHILD CARE INSTITUTIONS HAD COVID: RTI

721 children in child care institutions in 11 states and UTs have contracted COVID-19 till now and no fatalities have been reported, according to data from the country’s apex child rights body

The data, which was shared by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights in response to an RTI query, also stated that 686 children living in child care institutions (CCIs) have been infected so far this year

Out of 721 children, the highest number was reported from

Last year, Uttar Pradesh was the only state out of the 11 states and UTs to report coronavirus cases among children in CCIs. It had reported 35 cases. This year, no such case has been reported yet from UP

In June, the

Women and Child Development Ministry had asked states to make suitable arrangements for isolation facilities within CCIs to take care of children suffering from COVID and prepare a roaster of child psychologists or counsellors to visit the facilities According to the commission’s data, no death due to coronavirus has been reported among children residing in these CCIs

Tally in Mizoram was 46, Karnataka 37, Delhi 19, Telangana seven, Gujarat six, Chandigarh three

No case was reported from Andaman and Nicobar Islands

There are 857 CCIs in these states and UTs and 33,695 beneficiaries reside in them

To ensure institutional support

through CCIs, the Ministry had also asked states and UTs to organise special inspection drives in collaboration with district magistrates

CCIs were also directed to ensure proper facilities such as clean and hygienic living conditions, basic amenities, quality food and safety for all children