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
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Additional Information
Last Updated
12/07/2020
Source
American Academy of Pediatrics