Pediatric cases of COVID-19 in the United States has already reached 11.1 percent of the total number of cases. That is more than 800,000 cases as of last week. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association records, more than 61,000 children were diagnosed in the U.S. last week.
Because of this, health experts continue to warn parents of the risks of having the virus among kids.
Last April, only 9.1 percent of the cases in the U.S. are accounted for children. However, there was a drastic boost in children's cases in the recent spike of positive cases.
The hospitalizations of kids due to the virus are only 3.5 percent. Until Thursday last week, 121 kids have died because of the virus.
Considering the number of cases recorded today, health experts still think this could not be the entire picture. According to a TODAY report, experts believe that since kids only develop mild symptoms, there is a chance that more kids have caught the virus but are not part of the total number of positive cases recorded by authorities.
Pediatric Cases of COVID-19 Reaches 11.1%, Health Experts Continue to Warn ParentsKetut Subiyanto from Pexels
Reports on pediatric cases of COVID-19
In October, a massive increase in pediatric cases has been recorded. The increase reached up to 25 percent. These cases were mostly recorded in Colorado, Idaho, Alaska, Montana, New Mexico, and Utah.
Other states that recorded a more notable rise in pediatric cases are Kentucky, Dakotas, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
Additional death
Over the weekend, the 122nd child died due to the virus. The 13-year-old boy from Missouri still attended classes two days before he died.
In a statement, his family urged the public to follow the proper health protocols during the pandemic.
Pediatric Cases of COVID-19 Reaches 11.1%, Health Experts Continue to Warn ParentsKetut Subiyanto from Pexels
Health experts' reminders
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics president, Dr. Sally Goza, the rash spike in the number of pediatric cases of COVID-19 should serve as a reminder to parents. Dr. Goza said, "This is a stark reminder of the impact this pandemic is having on everyone - including our children and adolescents."
Goza also added that the safeguards in contracting the virus should not end anywhere, "Covid-19 is real and they want to remind students and parents to take these precautions in and outside of school."
Aside from this, health experts also prompt parents and adults to avoid crowds. The chair of the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, said, "We would encourage family holiday gatherings to be avoided if possible, especially if there are high-risk individuals in the household."
