WEDNESDAY, Sept. 9, 2020 (HealthDay Information) — Greater than 500,000 U.S. youngsters had been recognized with COVID-19 as of early September, with a large uptick seen in latest weeks, a brand new report reveals.
There have been 70,630 new baby circumstances reported between Aug. 20 and Sept. 3, 2020. That brings the entire to 513,415 circumstances — a 16% improve over two weeks, in accordance with state-by-state knowledge compiled by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Kids’s Hospital Affiliation.
“These numbers are a chilling reminder of why we have to take this virus severely,” mentioned AAP president Dr. Sara Goza.
As of Sept. 3, youngsters accounted for almost 10% of all reported COVID-19 circumstances in the USA because the begin of the pandemic, in accordance with the newest weekly report from the 2 organizations.
The findings spotlight the necessity to redouble efforts to curb the unfold of the new coronavirus, the consultants mentioned. The virus has surged in Southern, Western and Midwestern states throughout the summer time, they identified.
“Whereas a lot stays unknown about COVID-19, we do know that the unfold amongst youngsters displays what is occurring within the broader communities,” Goza mentioned in an AAP information launch.
“A disproportionate variety of circumstances are reported in Black and Hispanic youngsters, and in locations the place there may be excessive poverty. We should work more durable to deal with societal inequities that contribute to those disparities,” she added.
Dr. Sean O’Leary is vice chair of the academy’s committee on infectious ailments. “This fast rise in optimistic circumstances occurred over the summer time, and because the climate cools, we all know individuals will spend extra time indoors,” he mentioned.
“The objective is to get youngsters again into faculties for in-person studying, however in lots of communities, this isn’t doable because the virus spreads unchecked,” O’Leary added.
With flu season approaching, it is essential to “take this severely and implement the general public well being measures we all know may also help,” he mentioned. That features carrying masks, avoiding massive crowds, sustaining social distance and getting a flu shot.
“These measures will assist defend everybody, together with youngsters,” O’Leary mentioned.
