Back to schools in the US with masks 3:03
(CNN) -
More than 121,000 cases of covid-19 in children have been reported in the United States in the past week, according to a report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
After declining in early summer, child cases have "steadily increased" since early July.
From Aug. 5 to Aug. 12, a total of 121,427 cases of children were reported, what the AAP calls "a continued substantial increase."
Children accounted for 18% of the weekly reported cases.
Since the start of the pandemic, the AAP cites a cumulative total of 4,413,547 cases in children, with children accounting for 14.4% of all cases.
Twenty-three states and New York City reported hospitalizations, and children ranged from 1.6% to 3.5% of total hospitalizations.
Of all childhood COVID-19 cases, 0.2% to 1.9% resulted in hospitalizations.
Why now is one of the most dangerous times of the pandemic for children
Children accounted for 0% to 0.25% of all COVID-19 deaths, which were reported in 43 states, New York City, Puerto Rico and Guam.
No infant deaths were reported in seven states, and 0% to 0.03% of all covid-19 cases in children in the states that reported cases resulted in death.
advertising
The covid-19 outbreaks have sent many students into self-quarantine at the beginning of the new school year.
One way to help students stay in class is to have students, particularly those who are not vaccinated, wear masks at school, health experts say.
"It shouldn't be for months. It shouldn't be forever. But right now, when people are coming back, wearing masks is a reasonable public health step," said Dr. Brett Giroir, former Deputy Secretary of Health for the Trump government.
Yes, children can get sick from covid-19.
Find out why doctors say they should be protected
"I support it and encourage parents to encourage their children to do so."
During this surge in the delta variant, covid-19 hospitalizations have skyrocketed among children.
But the full extent of severe pediatric cases is unknown, Giroir said.
"Only 23 states and New York City actually report the number of children in hospitals," said Giroir, a pediatrician.
He said Texas and Florida are among the states where the total number of hospitalizations of children for COVID-19 is unknown.
"It's like flying blind, in relation to children," Giroir said.
"We need better data and that must be the basis for action."
Covid-19