The delta variant of the novel coronavirus has brought forth massive spikes in COVID-19 transmissions in the country and across the globe. And though children are also seeing a surge in cases, there is no cause for alarm among the younger population.

COVID-19 In Kids

In the U.S., transmissions involving children under 12 have soared amid the delta variant and the fact that everyone belonging to this age group still has no access to the COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, the full return to in-person schooling is believed to have contributed to the rise in cases in kids this summer.

Data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths for kids below 17 was still below 1% in the latest report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sept. 9. On the other hand, the 19-29 group was the worst hit amid the delta surge in terms of number of cases, while the 85+ age group recorded the highest number of deaths.

Dip In Overall Cases

Recorded numbers seem to suggest that COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have finally started to dip from its last peak with CNBC reporting last week that the daily cases dropped by 12% compared to the previous week and 14% when the latest peak on Sept. 1 was used as reference. Back then, daily cases averaged 167,600. Meanwhile, latest figures indicated 144,300 daily cases.

Although there appears to be some signs of easing off, infections are still expected to remain elevated in the country as the U.S. heads into the fall and winter seasons, according to experts. The latest figures may be giving a ray of hope amid the pandemic, but public health officials continue to warn that the virus is still very unpredictable at this point.

The Bigger Picture

When looking at the 2021 COVID-19 death toll for people in the U.S. below 18 years old, it’s easy to see that the number is already higher than the documented deaths from 2020. Compared to last year’s 192, under-18 deaths in the country have already reached 241.

“I would guess that while [COVID-19] may turn out to be deadlier for kids this year than an average year of flu and pneumonia, it’s unlikely that it will kill nearly as many children as automobiles usually do,” Bloomberg columnist Justin Fox stated in a report after reviewing the data on the latest fatalities.

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