Shielding not necessary for children in second wave

MOST shielding children will not have to take such precautions in the event of a second wave, government advisers have said, raising questions over why almost 100,000 children have been forced to stay at home for months.

In total, about 2.2 million people have been advised to stay at home, including an estimated 94,000 children and teenagers suffering from underlying conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease.

England’s deputy chief medical officer has said that in the event of a second wave, the vast majority of such children will not be asked to shield.

Only a small group who receive specialist care in hospitals – including those receiving cancer care or those with immunodeficiency – are likely to be advised to stay at home.

Dr Jenny Harries said the advice had changed because understanding of the virus had developed, showing most children are at low risk. However, the Department of Health said the children should still stay at home until the end of this month, when the shielding programme lifts, or until they received new advice from their GP.

It came as shielding rules were relaxed yesterday. Those who had been advised to stay at home can meet in groups of five, if practising social distancing, while those who live alone can form a bubble with other households.

Dr Harries said: “I do not underestimate the difficulty of children having to stay indoors.

“As our understanding of this novel virus has developed, evidence shows most children and young people are at low risk of serious illness and will no longer be advised to shield after July.”

Dr Mike Linney, registrar at the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: “Lockdown has been a long haul for thousands of families, and we hope this announcement brings some relief.”