The highly infectious Delta variant is continuing its rampage across America, as the pandemic of the unvaccinated ripples through kids. American Academy of Pediatrics says children accounted for 15% of new cases for the week ended August 5, 2021. NPR says they used state-level data to track these COVID-19 cases on the march among kids. And the trend is increasing at an alarming rate.
COVID Cases in Children Are Rising Fast
State-level data recorded 94,000 child cases in the week ended August 5, 2021. There were 72,000 the previous week, and 39,000 the week before that. This trend began gradually during July after a quiet early summer. But since then the COVID-19 cases on the march among kids became a concern.
‘This virus is really tracking the unvaccinated,’ said Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, a professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at Stanford. ‘We’re just seeing the same increase in infections in that group as unvaccinated adults. Because kids under 12 are not able to be vaccinated against the highly infectious Delta variant.’
But Are COVID-19 Cases on the March Among Kids More Dangerous?
There’s no clear answer to this question that’s causing parents sleepless nights. Although NPR reports severe illness, hospitalization and death are still uncommon in children with the virus. State-level data is inconclusive in some areas. However, it seems probable that less than 2% end up in hospital, and deaths are still extremely rare.
‘I’m not seeing any patterns that suggest the virus is more virulent or more serious or more severe in children, than it was before this variant appeared,’ Dr. Yvonne Maldonado explains. There is however still a hospital capacity concern according to NPR News. Fewer general childhood vaccines have been administered during the pandemic.
Healthcare workers report the indirect impacts of COVID-19 are becoming evident. These include deferred general medical cases coming through, and mental issues arising from social isolation during lock down. Moreover, latest trends indicate kids hospitalized for Delta are sicker than with other COVID-19 variants. We shall monitor this situation with concern.
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