In a concerning trend, COVID-19 cases among children and teenagers have surged by 84% within a single week, now representing nearly 20% of the total cases nationwide. With the highly transmissible delta variant becoming the dominant strain in the U.S., every state is witnessing an increase in cases and hospitalizations. Alarmingly, this variant appears to lead to more severe illnesses in children, who were previously less affected by earlier strains.
Recent data from the American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that approximately 72,000 minors were infected last week, a significant jump from the nearly 39,000 cases reported the week prior. The increase from late June is almost fivefold, raising alarms about the vulnerability of unvaccinated children to this variant. “The rise is notable, especially considering the availability of vaccines, which suggests a spike in infections among unvaccinated individuals as the delta variant spreads,” stated Dr. Emily Sanders, chair of the pediatric infectious disease committee.
As schools prepare to reopen for the fall semester, many are doing so without mask mandates, despite evidence that masks are an effective method to safeguard against infections, particularly for those under 12 who are not yet eligible for vaccination. States like Texas and Georgia have enacted laws prohibiting mask requirements in schools, which raises concerns about the health and safety of students.
While vaccines are being trialed for children as young as six months, widespread availability for those under 12 may still be months away. Fortunately, the AAP notes that severe illness from COVID-19 remains rare in children; they constitute about 1.3% to 3.5% of hospitalizations based on state data, with 526 child fatalities reported since the pandemic began.
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In summary, the recent spike in COVID-19 cases among children and teens is alarming, particularly with schools reopening soon. The delta variant is impacting unvaccinated minors more severely, emphasizing the need for protective measures as vaccination efforts continue.