US Sees Sharp Rise in COVID-19 Cases Among Minors as New School Term Begins... 'Concerns'

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] COVID-19 cases among children and minors are rapidly increasing in the United States as the new school term begins.

According to a weekly report published on the 8th (local time) by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children's Hospital Association, 251,781 children and adolescents (ages 0-17) tested positive for COVID-19 in the U.S. during the past week (August 27 to September 2). This is the highest number recorded since the official reporting of COVID-19 cases among children began. Compared to the recent low point (June 18-24), this represents a 30-fold increase, indicating a sharp surge.

In the U.S., following the easing of lockdown measures and the spread of the Delta variant, the number of infected minors who have not been vaccinated is on the rise.

Since early last year, the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases among minors in the U.S. is approximately 5.05 million. The American Academy of Pediatrics and others expressed concern that about 750,000 of these cases were reported just last month.

Cases of children and minors being hospitalized with severe symptoms are also increasing. According to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of the 5th, the number of new COVID-19 hospitalizations among those aged 17 and under is 0.49 per 100,000 people. This is seven times higher than the recent low of 0.07 recorded on July 5.

Children and adolescents initially tended to overcome COVID-19 infections more easily than other age groups, but they are increasingly becoming a vulnerable group. This is because highly transmissible and potentially more severe viruses like the Delta variant have become dominant, and many remain unvaccinated.

In most parts of the world, COVID-19 vaccines for children have not yet been approved. Currently, the only options are to emphasize expanding vaccine distribution and wearing masks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.