The number of children in hospital with Covid is at its highest level yet, according to new figures.
That’s prompted accusations that Health Secretary Humza Yousaf has taken his eye “off the ball” over how the health crisis is affecting young people.
Over the last couple of weeks the average number of hospital admissions for under-18s has increased due to the spread of the Delta variant.
According to the latest data, over the last week 25 zero to four-year-olds were admitted to hospitals after testing positive for the virus.
There were 15 kids in the five to 14 age group who were sent to hospital, while 11 in the 15 to 19 age range had to receive medical care.
During the first three weeks of May there was less than one admission per week of children aged two to four, while at the end of June it had increased to a weekly average of 4.7.
Hospitals receiving children in the five to 11 age range has increased to its highest average level.
Youths aged 12 to 17 have now matched their previous admission average, which was set in January this year.
Jackie Baillie, Labour’s health spokesperson, said: “These are incredibly worrying trends which show the health and wellbeing of the young people of Scotland is on the line.
“Covid-19 may not affect children as severely but young people with underlying health conditions will be at increased risk if case levels are high.
“The SNP has lost control of the pandemic and the Health Secretary’s eye is off the ball.”
Over the last seven-day period there have been 5711 children between 0 and 19 who have tested positive for Covid. That compares to 3569 people who contracted the virus in the 20-24 age range.
Those between 25 and 44 saw the biggest rise in cases, with 7690 returning positive tests.
In order to stem the spread of the new variant, the vaccination programme has been ramped up, with walk-in centres opened up in
all local authority areas.
But Baillie added: “We need the vaccination programme to be drastically sped up, with the time between first and second doses cut to four weeks to slow down transmission of the virus. I urge the Government to act now.”
The Scottish Government said: “We have one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world and are vaccinating people as fast as supplies allow.
“Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice on the gap between first and second doses is clear that eight weeks is optimal – and that reducing that below eight weeks would compromise the effectiveness of the vaccine and how long that effect lasts.
“The JCVI is reviewing vaccinations for under-18s.”
