Children Death Rate Due To COVID In Riau Is High, 12 Toddlers Have Died

Indra Yovie (ANTARA/HO-Riau Provincial Government)

RIAU - The Riau Province COVID-19 Handling Task Force said the mortality rate for infants under five years old (toddlers) due to COVID-19 was higher than the group of children aged 5-18 years.

"Yes, toddlers are indeed vulnerable, especially if they have comorbidities (congenital diseases), this is something to watch out for", said Riau Province COVID-19 Task Force spokesman, Dr. Indra Yovi in Pekanbaru, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, July 12.

To date, there have been 12 children under five in Riau who have died from COVID-19. Therefore, the high mortality rate in children under five should be the concern of all parties.

This is because toddlers do have low immunity so they are prone to being exposed to COVID-19 and will be difficult to help if the toddler has comorbid diseases.

The highest cases of death due to COVID-19 in Riau Province were found in the age group between 40-60 years. The number has reached 1.034 people.

Then, the age group above 60 years is also vulnerable. So far, there have been 811 cases of death due to COVID-19 that have occurred in people aged over 60 years.

Meanwhile, for the 18 to 40 year age group, there were 181 cases. To date, the total death toll from COVID-19 in Riau has reached 2.040 cases.

Indra Yovi also reminded the public to always be disciplined in implementing health protocols to avoid COVID-19.