State-level reports are the best publicly available and timely data on child COVID-19 cases in the United States. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association are collaborating to collect and share all publicly available data from states on child COVID-19 cases (definition of “child” case is based on varying age ranges reported across states; see report Appendix for details and links to all data sources).

As of April 29, over 3.78 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. After seeing increases in new reported cases in March and April, this week marks the second consecutive decrease–about 72,000 new child cases were reported.

The age distribution of reported COVID-19 cases was provided on the health department websites of 49 states, New York City, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Children represented 13.8% of total cumulated cases in states reporting cases by age.

A smaller subset of states reported on hospitalizations and mortality by age; the available data indicate that COVID-19-associated hospitalization and death is uncommon in children.

At this time, it still appears that severe illness due to COVID-19 is rare among children. However, there is an urgent need to collect more data on longer-term impacts of the pandemic on children, including ways the virus may harm the long-term physical health of infected children, as well as its emotional and mental health effects.

Summary of Findings (data available as of 4/29/21) :

Cumulative Number of Child COVID-19 Cases*

  • 3,782,724 total child COVID-19 cases reported, and children represented 13.8% (3,782,724/27,320,708) of all cases
  • Overall rate: 5,026 cases per 100,000 children in the population

Change in Child COVID-19 Cases*

  • 71,649 new child COVID-19 cases were reported the past week from 4/22/21-4/29/21 (3,711,075 to 3,782,724) and children represented 22.4% (71,649/319,601) of the new weekly cases
  • Over two weeks, 4/15/21-4/29/21, there was a 4% increase in the cumulated number of child COVID-19 cases (151,535 new cases (3,631,189 to 3,782,724))

Testing (11 states reported)*

  • Children made up between 6.0%-19.2% of total state tests, and between 5.3%-33.4% of children tested were tested positive

Hospitalizations (24 states and NYC reported)*

  • Children were 1.2%-3.1% of total reported hospitalizations, and between 0.1%-1.9% of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization

Mortality (43 states, NYC, PR and GU reported)*

  • Children were 0.00%-0.21% of all COVID-19 deaths, and 10 states reported zero child deaths
  • ​In states reporting, 0.00%-0.03% of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in death

* Note: Data represent cumulative counts since states began reporting; All data reported by state/local health departments are preliminary and subject to change

Download Full Report  (4/29/2021)

Download Full Report  (4/22/2021)

Download Full Report  (4/15/2021)

Additional Information

Last Updated

05/03/2021

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics