In a concerning trend, COVID-19 cases among children and teenagers have increased by 84% in just one week, accounting for nearly 20% of the total national cases. As the highly transmissible Delta variant dominates infections in the U.S., the rise in cases and hospitalizations is evident across all states. Alarmingly, this variant appears to cause more severe illness in younger populations, who were less affected by earlier strains of the virus.
The American Society of Pediatrics reported on Tuesday that approximately 72,000 kids and teens were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the past week, marking a significant rise from under 39,000 the previous week. This represents a nearly fivefold increase in cases since the end of June. Dr. Sarah Thompson, a leading expert in infectious diseases, emphasized that the surge indicates unvaccinated individuals are becoming infected at higher rates due to the Delta variant’s increased transmissibility.
Currently, children make up 19% of the total COVID-19 cases reported nationwide, with definitions of age varying by state, typically including those up to 17 or 18 years old. This alarming rise in cases coincides with the upcoming school year, where many institutions are set to reopen without mask requirements. Several states have even prohibited mask mandates in schools, which are crucial for protecting children, especially those under 12 who are ineligible for vaccination. Recent months have seen governors from states like Texas and Florida take steps to prevent mask usage in educational settings.
While vaccines are in development for children as young as six months, availability for those under 12 is still several months away. The good news is that severe COVID-19 cases remain rare among children. Despite making up nearly 20% of all infections, kids constitute only 1.3% to 3.5% of hospitalizations, depending on the state. The CDC has reported 526 fatalities among children in the U.S. since the pandemic began.
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In summary, the surge in COVID-19 cases among children and teens, driven by the Delta variant, poses significant concerns as many schools prepare to reopen without adequate safety measures in place. With the vaccination rollout still pending for younger age groups, parents and communities must remain vigilant in protecting their children.
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