QC mayor backs minors' vaccination as city sees rise in child COVID cases

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte supports vaccinating minors once vaccine supplies increase, amid a rise in child COVID-19 cases.

The Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit reported over 12,000 minors have contracted the virus since September 8.

Gentle Hands Orphanage in Barangay Bagumbuhay has seen an outbreak with 143 positive cases, including 111 children aged 17 and below.

Initially, it was believed that an asymptomatic adult visitor caused the outbreak, but Dr. Rolly Cruz later said three staff members went out to get vaccinated on August 13, leading to one child developing symptoms six days after.

The orphanage has a total of 168 occupants, and all are being managed with varying degrees of symptoms; no patient is experiencing respiratory distress.