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 March 4, about 3.23 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Nearly 64,000 new child COVID-19 cases were reported last week. This marks the 7th consecutive week with a decline in new cases, but a much smaller drop than in the previous 6 weeks.

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 13.2% 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 indicated that COVID-19-associated hospitalization and death is uncommon in children.

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 3/4/21) :

Cumulative Number of Child COVID-19 Cases*

  • 3,231,836 total child COVID-19 cases reported, and children represented 13.2% (3,231,836/24,487,634) of all cases
  • Overall rate: 4,294 cases per 100,000 children in the population

Change in Child COVID-19 Cases*

  • 63,562 new child COVID-19 cases were reported the past week from 2/25/21-3/4/21 (3,168,274 to 3,231,836)
  • Over two weeks, 218/21-3/4/21, there was a 4% increase in the cumulated number of child COVID-19 cases (127,826 new cases (3,104,010 to 3,231,836))

Testing (11 states reported)*

  • Children made up between 6.0%-18.5% of total state tests, and between 5.3%-30.7% of children tested were tested positive

Hospitalizations (23 states and NYC reported)*

  • Children were 1.3%-3.0% of total reported hospitalizations, and between 0.1%-2.2% of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in hospitalization

Mortality (43 states, NYC and Guam reported)*

  • Children were 0.00%-0.19% of all COVID-19 deaths, and 10 states reported zero child deaths
  • In states reporting, 0.00%-0.04% 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  (3/4/2021)

Download Full Report  (2/25/2021)

Download Full Report  (2/18/2021)

Additional Information

Last Updated

03/08/2021

Source

American Academy of Pediatrics