In a concerning update, over 61,000 children across the United States were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the week ending October 29, as reported by the Pediatric Health Association and the Children’s Hospital Coalition. This figure marks the highest weekly total since the pandemic began.
The data indicates that pediatric cases now constitute 11% of all COVID-19 cases in the U.S., a significant increase from just 2% in April. Since the pandemic started, more than 853,000 children have tested positive for the virus, with nearly 200,000 new cases reported in October alone.
“This situation underscores the pandemic’s widespread impact, affecting everyone, including our younger population,” said Dr. Emily Hartman, president of the Pediatric Health Association. “The virus is highly contagious, and with rising case numbers in various communities, children are increasingly at risk. We can protect our communities by maintaining social distance, wearing masks, and adhering to guidelines from health officials.”
The Pediatric Health Association believes the actual number of infected children may be higher, as many cases are mild and not always tested. For instance, some parents in Utah are opting not to test their symptomatic children to keep state statistics lower and schools open.
Before schools reopened, reliable data on the impact of the virus on children was scarce, since educational institutions were closed for about five months. With schools now in session for over two months, the rise in cases among children is not entirely unexpected.
Currently, severe illness from COVID-19 in children remains rare, according to the report. However, there is an urgent need for more research on the long-term consequences of the virus on children’s physical, emotional, and mental health.
It is important to remember two key points regarding children and COVID-19: while they may experience less severe physical symptoms than adults, they can spread the virus just as easily, even if they are asymptomatic. Furthermore, the long-term effects on even healthy, young individuals are still unknown.
The report states that children make up less than 3.5% of current COVID-19 hospitalizations, with 122 pediatric deaths attributed to the virus.
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Summary:
Over 61,000 children in the U.S. were diagnosed with COVID-19 last week, representing a significant increase in pediatric cases. The virus is proving highly contagious among younger populations, leading to a need for increased awareness and protective measures. Despite the rarity of severe illness in children, the long-term implications of the virus remain uncertain.