NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- A New York report released Friday shows the staggering growth in child COVID-19 hospitalizations since omicron took hold in the state.
The state Department of Health’s report on pediatric COVID hospitalizations comes after a more preliminary warning for children on Christmas Eve. The latest is based on data from Dec. 5 through Jan. 1.
During that time, new pediatric hospitalizations for those 0-18 increased from 70 to 571 per week statewide. In New York City, that number increased from 22 to 385 and the Mid-Hudson and Long Island regions combined jumped from 12 to 112.
Officials said the data underscores the importance of vaccinations. Of those newly admitted, 91% of those 5 to 11 years old were unvaccinated, while only 4% were fully vaccinated.
In those 12-17 years old, 65% were unvaccinated, with 26% being fully vaxxed.
A total of 55% of the hospitalizations were in kids 0-4, despite them making up just 26% of the population of those under 18. The age group remains ineligible for the COVID-19 vaccine.
"This report highlights the critical need of safeguarding our children through vaccination," said acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett. "Pediatricians, parents, and guardians must do everything possible to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, those 12 and older are boosted as soon as eligible, and that children under four are protected because all those around them are fully vaccinated.”
In the most recent week of reporting, 70% of new pediatric hospitalizations were symptomatic, and 54% of admittances did not have known comorbidities.
Related
The data comes from info reported by health care facilities through the Health Electronic Response Data System (HERDS).
Officials said the increase has been observed in kids admitted for both COVID-19 and other reasons, but then were found to have COVID. In New York City, there was an 18-fold increase in COVID admissions, and a 15-fold increase for other reasons, but with COVID.
On Friday, New York reported over 82,000 new COVID-19 cases, only a few thousand less than the single-day record set late last week.
Statewide COVID hospitalizations in all age groups rose by over 350 to 11,548, now over 2,000 past the 2021 peak, but still about 7,000 less than the 2020 peak. 150 new deaths were reported, the new high since vaccinations were rolled out.
Related
