Rate of COVID Infection in the U.S. Children Rising
Paul Palmer
Helping Head of Quality / Quality Directors Transition from Crisis Managers to Strategic Leaders with the Core Competence System | LMS | PQS | GxP
New data shows children in the U.S. are contracting the COVID-19 virus at faster rates across the country, with new research showing how young people can be significant spreaders of the disease.
In ongoing data collection from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association, cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 children in the U.S. have risen dramatically over the past six months. Overall, the per capita increase from 13 in April to over 1,053 by late October greatly outpaces the total population’s case rate over the same time period. This is also shown in the percentage of total cases among children, growing from just 2 percent in April to 11 percent by Oct. 22.
Some states are reporting astronomical increases in COVID-19 cases in children coinciding with schools conducting in-person classes. In July, the U.S. had a 90 percent increase in total cases among children, with states like Florida seeing child increase by 137 percent cases. As outbreaks begin this fall with schools largely open, some analysts believe COVID-19 among children may be under-reported.
There’s little evidence suggesting COVID-19 is less transmittable or severe in children, however, hospitalizations and deaths from the virus remain much lower than for older age groups. Hospitalizations for child cases of COVID-19 have risen from 0.8 percent in late May to 1.7 percent in October of total hospitalizations, with a recent downward trend since September. Deaths have halted over the last few weeks, going from a total of 103 at the beginning of September to 120 as of Oct. 22.
With a growing body of evidence showing how the coronavirus can quickly spread through children, many are calling for their local and statewide school districts to postpone in-person learning. Many students, however, are pushing forward with regular in-person classes heading into the fall.
SOURCE: Statista.com