State-level reports are the best publicly available 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 December 3, over 1.4 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. 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 12.0% of all cases in states reporting cases by age.

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

The number of new child COVID-19 cases reported this week is nearly 124,000. At this time, it 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 12/3/20) :

(Note: Data represent cumulative counts since states began reporting)

Cumulative Number of Child COVID-19 Cases*

  • 1,460,905 total child COVID-19 cases reported, and children represented 12.0% (1,460,905/12,167,620) of all cases
  • Overall rate: 1,941 cases per 100,000 children in the population

Change in Child COVID-19 Cases*

  • 123,688 new child COVID-19 cases were reported the past week from 11/26-12/3 (1,337,217 to 1,460,905)
  • Over two weeks, 11/19-12/3, there was a 23% increase in child COVID-19 cases (277,296 new cases (1,183,609 to 1,460,905))

Testing (10 states reported)*

  • Children made up between 6.0%-17.8% of total state tests, and between 4.8%-21.9% of children tested were tested positive

Hospitalizations (24 states and NYC reported)*

  • Children were 1.1%-3.0% of total reported hospitalizations, and between 0.3%-4.9% of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization

Mortality (43 states and NYC reported)*

  • Children were 0.00%-0.23% of all COVID-19 deaths, and 15 states reported zero child deaths
  • In states reporting, 0.00%-0.11% 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  (12/3/2020)

Download Full Report  (11/26/2020) 

Download Full Report  (11/19/2020) 

Additional Information

Last Updated

12/07/2020

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics