According to the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), children made up 18% of reported weekly COVID-19 cases by mid-August, up from 14.4% since the pandemic began. As schools reopen, officials express concern that the situation may worsen, especially as many institutions are not enforcing universal mask mandates. Dr. Alex Smith, a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee, emphasized the importance of vaccination and masking, stating, “For children under 12, masking is their primary protection.”
Recent reports highlighted alarming quarantine numbers in certain school districts. For instance, the New Orleans Public School District quarantined 3,000 students and staff within a week, while Hillsborough County Public Schools in Florida reported at least 5,599 students and 316 employees in isolation or quarantine due to exposure.
Florida has become a focal point for the crisis, accounting for one-fifth of all COVID-19 cases in the United States. The CDC noted that during the week ending August 15, an average of 56 children were hospitalized daily in Florida due to the virus. Although the AAP has indicated that severe illness from COVID-19 remains rare among children, more research is needed to understand the potential long-term effects of mild cases, including the risks of “long COVID.”
As the pandemic continues, the importance of vaccination extends beyond personal choice—it’s a matter of protecting the vulnerable children around us who cannot yet receive the vaccine. For more insights on related topics, check out this other blog post, which can provide additional context.
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Summary
The surge in COVID-19 cases among children, particularly due to the Delta variant, has raised alarms, especially with schools reopening and many children remaining unvaccinated. With substantial increases in reported cases and quarantines in various school districts, the situation continues to evolve, posing risks for younger populations.
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