More than 500,000 children have tested positive for COVID-19 over the past three weeks as many schools reopened for in-person instruction, according to an American Academy of Pediatrics report.
Between Aug. 5 and Aug. 26, 505,564 total child cases of COVID-19 were recorded across the nation, per data collected from state and local health departments. Of those cases, 203,962 positive cases were reported within just one week. As overall cases of COVID-19 in children increased, the number of children hospitalized for COVID-19 in the U.S. also reached an all-time high according to data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, schools across the nation have had periods of remote instruction to prevent the spread of the virus.
Even now, there are no vaccines in the U.S. approved for use in children under 12 years old, leaving many elementary school students vulnerable for infection. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, announced Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is hoping to see a vaccine available for children under the age of 12 by the end of the month, CNN reported.
“We should have enough of the data to examine and make a decision as we get into late September, the beginning of October,” Fauci said. “Then the data will be presented to the FDA, and the FDA will make a determination whether they will grant that under an emergency use authorization or some other mechanism.”
While parents and guardians wait for vaccines to be approved for their children, health experts say that both children and staff in schools, regardless of their vaccination status, should wear face masks, said People Magazine. This protocol may continue even after children receive the vaccine, as the Delta variant of COIVD-19 has caused breakout infections.
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend mask wearing for all k-12 schools in the country, mask mandates at schools vary from state to state. Florida, Texas, and Arizona, for example, prohibited these kinds of mandates for the 2021-22 school year. However, many districts in those states have defied them despite threats of reduced funding, said People.
Related
Related
