The new data, with a focus on children, revived the debate on the onset of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the second wave of coronavirus subsides and schools begin to reopen, several states are reporting a spike in children testing positive for coronavirus. There has been a gradual rise in children below the age of 10 years testing positive for SARS-COV-2 as the Centre steps up research into finding a vaccine for kids.

According to recent data provided to the Empowered Group-1 (EG-1), which works to design the national strategy for combating Covid-19, the cases among children have increased from 2.80 per cent in March this year to 7.04 per cent in August.

The data showed that out of 18 states and Union Territories, Covid-19 cases among children were the highest in Mizoram with 16.48 per cent of total active cases and the lowest in Delhi with 2.25 per cent of cases having been reported among children.

Odisha had earlier reported a 20 per cent rise in Covid-19 cases among children and adolescents. "The daily Covid-19 infection rate among children and adolescents rose to 20.3 per cent, which is a matter of concern as they have not been inoculated," officials had said.

Meanwhile, a serosurvey conducted by Chandigarh-based Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) among 2,700 children showed that 71 per cent of the participants had developed antibodies. The survey was conducted in the areas of Chandigarh covering rural, urban and slum dwellers.

"We're at the beginning of the 3rd wave of Covid-19 pandemic. A serosurvey conducted by PGIMER, Chandigarh among 2,700 children shows 71 per cent of them have developed antibodies. It shows children won't be affected disproportionately during the third wave," ANI quoted PGIMER Director Dr Jagat Ram as saying.

He added that the survey from Maharashtra and Delhi showed that about 50-75 per cent of children had developed antibodies.

The new data, with a focus on children, revived the debate on the onset of the third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with cases declining across the country, it is believed that vaccination has resulted in preventing hospitalisation.

Meanwhile, with a larger focus now on children, the numbers could be rising due to more people reporting about the infection in children as compared to the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Read: MP schools to reopen on Sept 20 for Classes 1 to 15 after 17 months

The latest data provided to VK Paul, who is heading the task force, showed that between June 2020 to February 2021 children made up to 2.72 per cent to 3.59 per cent of the total caseload in the country.

The new data come amid Centre planning to begin vaccination of children in the 12-17 age group who have co-morbidities. According to The Economic Times, plans are being readied, with Zydus Cadila’s DNA vaccine ZyCoV-D, which has received emergency use authorisation, for children in October.

Meanwhile, India reported 27,176 new cases in the last 24 hours, which is seven per cent higher than cases recorded on Tuesday, according to the data released by the Union health ministry.

The five states which have registered the maximum number of Covid-19 cases are Kerala with 15,876 cases, Maharashtra with 3,530 cases, Tamil Nadu with 1,591 cases, Mizoram with 1,185 cases and Andhra Pradesh with 1,125 cases.