New AAP Report Finds 97,000 Kids Recently Tested Positive for COVID-19

According to a new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Children’s Hospital Association, close to 100,000 kids tested positive for COVID-19 between July 16 and July 30.

The report found the numbers represented a 40 percent increase in cases in kids. When looking at 49 states, New York City, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam, the report revealed that kids made up between 3 and 11 percent of total state tests and between 3.6 and 17.8 percent tested positive. Among the states that reported hospitalizations of kids, they made up between .6 and 3.7 percent of cases. It’s important to note that the definition of “child” varied in each state, with some saying a child is anyone under the age of 14 and others saying 24-year-olds also count as children.

Since the onset of the pandemic, over 338,000 kids have tested positive for the novel virus, the report states. While the report maintains that severe illness due to COVID-19 is rare in kids, scientists are still trying to understand the full extent of the novel coronavirus. Last month a study found that kids under the age of 5 can transmit COVID-19 at higher levels than previously believed.

While much is still unknown, these reports come at a time when parents are trying to make decisions for the 2020-2021 school year and the nation exceeds five million COVID-19 cases.

To read the full report, visit AAP.org.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.