WHO reiterates warning that kids are hit by virus too

COPENHAGEN: The World Health Organisation on Thursday reiterated its warning that children can also be affected by the new coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of several young people.

"The very notion that ´COVID-19 only affects older people' is factually wrong," the head of the WHO´s European branch, Hans Kluge, told reporters during an online briefing from Copenhagen. "Age is not the only risk for severe disease," Kluge insisted.

Severe cases have been reported among teens and young adults, with some requiring intensive care and several deaths, he said. In Europe, the youngest victim is a 12-year-old girl who died in Belgium. In the United States, a six-week-old baby has died from the virus.

Some 10 to 15 percent of cases detected in people under the age of 50 were a moderate to serious infection, according to the WHO. However, Kluge noted that "people who age healthily are less at risk".