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British study reaffirms Coronavirus is rarely deadly for children

According to the RT, a new study has found that prolonged illness from Covid among minors is uncommon, reaffirming data showing that the virus is rarely deadly for children. The findings come as the UK prepares to start giving teens the shot. Coronavirus
The RT said the research, conducted by King's College London scientists, revealed that children aged between 5 and 17 who test positive for coronavirus typically recover in less than a week.
It added, headaches and tiredness were the most common symptoms observed, according to their paper, which was published on Tuesday in the Lancet.
Using data provided by parents to a non-profit group that supports Covid research, the study examined medical information collected from 1,734 minors who developed symptoms and tested positive for the virus between September 2020 and February 2021.
The Russian media outlet reported that the researchers said they were “reassured” to find that fewer than one in 20 of those with the virus exhibited symptoms for four weeks or more. Incidences in which children showed symptoms for more than eight weeks were even rarer, being recorded in one in 50 cases.
The scientists also examined cases where children had symptoms but tested negative for coronavirus. Only a handful of subjects remained symptomatic for 28 days or more.
The main takeaway from the study is that it’s uncommon for children to suffer from prolonged illness after getting Covid, Emma Duncan, professor of clinical endocrinology at King's College London, said. She also stressed that it would be ill-advised to focus only on Covid-linked sickness among children.
“We need to be looking after all children who have protracted illnesses, irrespective of whether that illness is Covid-19 or anything else,” the researcher noted.

Although the data used in the study was more than six months old, the findings seem consistent with the current figures regarding Covid among British youth. While some experts have suggested that the more transmissible Delta variant may pose a greater risk to the general public, the disease continues to have an almost non-existent impact on mortality among children. In the first 12 months of the pandemic, NHS data shows only 25 under-18s died from the illness.
While the study seems to caution against overstating the virus’ effect on children, there may be limitations to accurately gauging Covid infections among young Britons: last month it was revealed that pupils in the UK were applying orange juice to Covid lateral flow test kits in order to test positive for the virus and get a two-week holiday from school.
The study coincides with reports that the British government is preparing to approve Covid jabs for 16- and 17-year-olds. According to the Telegraph, Downing Street is expected to update its advisory to include teens in the nation’s inoculation drive. The youngsters will be urged to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, the outlet reported, citing a government source.
The British government had previously signaled that jabs would only be offered to vulnerable 12- to 15-year-olds and those nearing their eighteenth birthday.
The reported U-turn would mean that the UK is joining the United States and European states that have already begun to vaccinate minors as young as 12.
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Source: RT
Image source: Reuters-RT
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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