Summer colonies: How to take care of the little boys before the new wave of infections

A new summer season began and the youngest take advantage of the holidays to be with friends, travel with the family and carry out various activities in the colonies.All this in the middle of a complex third wave, because of the Delta and omicron variants, which already beat several records in terms of positive cases of COVID-19.At the same time, there is a low percentage of pediatric vaccination since only this week Anmat approved the Pfizer vaccine for minors.

So far, in boys and girls from 3 to 11 years, 64% have a dose and 40% already completed the scheme.For that reason, specialists from the Clinic Hospital advise how to prevent and what measures should the establishments that receive hundreds of girls and boys daily take daily to prevent the circulation of the virus from growing even more."If possible, occupation limits will be established within and around the pool," says Victoria Fermanelli, a doctor of the Department of Pediatrics.

As in each area, doctors advise avoiding agglomerations and staying, at least, a meter away from other people even when swimming or in bathing areas while recommending always using a mask when they are out of the water."Do not allow the use of changing rooms, which would be prohibited according to the city's government protocol except for cases of force majeure or meet the following conditions: 1 person every 15 m2, crossed natural ventilation, a maximum time of 10 minutes and to thejust end changing wet clothes.In no case can the showers be used in closed space, "adds the professional.

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On the other hand, the clinics specialists highlight the importance of the correct use of personal protection elements: tapaboca of social use or chin, paper scarves and/or a personal towel-, bring the hydration medium and not share it and that children carry the minimum and indispensable elements for carrying out the activity and avoiding complications.

In addition, they advise to implement the work modality in "closed groups".On this, the pediatrician maintains: "Groups that will integrate the teacher, auxiliary and designated settlers will be formed, and these groups will be maintained during the day to avoid the transmission chain between the different groups".They must be composed of no more than 12 people -including the elderly -will be grouped by age, circumscribing each group to a radius of 20 mts2.There must be a distancing between the groups that must be respected, while the “Children's Sports School/Academy must develop respecting the“ Bubble Groups ”modality.

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Rules to achieve good protection

Beyond the preventive measures against COVID-19, Dr. and Pediatra Fermanelli highlighted the importance of caring for girls and boys in the sun."We must continue protecting children from ultraviolet rays.It was shown that prolonged sun exposure is risky, causing harmful effects on health, such as skin aging, and skin cancer, "he said.

To close it is important to talk about the coronavirus and chlorine of the pools.Although the Higher Council for Scientific Research is still under study, although there are no specific data or statistics in relation to the effectiveuse of a 0.1% sodium hypochlorite solution is effective for virus inactivation.

"Considering these data we have, it should be thought that the free chlorine concentrations recommended in swimming pool (1-3 mg/l) would be enough for the inactivation of the virus, and therefore, sufficient to avoid the risks ofPollution during the bathroom, "said the clinic specialist.In any case, it is key to highlight that there is no confirmation or certainty with respect to the data.

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