Omicron Variant Driving Up Pediatric Hospitalizations

As cases of the omicron variant steadily rise across the country, there is an increase in hospitalizations among children. 

CBS News reports that the U.S. is averaging about 260 pediatric COVID-19 a day, which is up 30 percent from last week.

New York has been hit especially hard by the omicron variant and has seen pediatric hospitalization rise five-fold. COVID admissions for children were up to 184 statewide, with 109 in New York City. 

Most of the kids admitted with coronavirus are not vaccinated. In the 5-to-11-year-old age group, none of the children were vaccinated. Only about a quarter of the older kids hospitalized had received the shot. 

“We need to get child vaccinations up,” Mary T. Bassett, the acting commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, said. “We need to get them higher than they are, particularly in the 5- to 11-year-old age group.” 

For the most part, infected children seem to only be mildly ill. However, there are more kids with symptoms now than there were with previous variants. And it’s affecting kids of all ages. Pediatricians have seen every age group, from babies to teenagers.

Despite the rising numbers, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday that she encourages school superintendents to keep schools open. She said she is prepared to send additional resources to help keep kids attending school in person.