Childhood COVID-19 Cases Rise As Students Return To Class, American Academy of Pediatrics Says

CAMDEN, New Jersey (WPVI) – As millions of students return to school, health officials say the United States faces its most worrying increase to date.

Hundreds of thousands of American children now test positive for COVID-19 every week, according to a recently released weekly report from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association.

And at the sound of the bell, schools have reopened across the region.

In Camden, New Jersey, after 18 months of virtual learning, the kids were finally back in the classroom.

“There is no substitute for having a teacher in front of the students in the classroom,” said Katrina McCombs, principal of the Camden City school.

But students and staff will wear masks as is mandatory for other schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

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Health officials report that nearly 252,000 American children tested positive for COVID-19 last week, marking the highest week on record for pediatric infections. The Academy of Pediatrics and the Association of Children’s Hospitals note that serious illnesses from COVID-19 are still rare in children today.

The mask warrants have not been without controversy. In Pennsylvania, some lawmakers and parents are considering suing the Wolf administration, alleging that Acting Health Secretary Alison Beam does not have the power to impose masks on schools.

Some GOP leaders have argued that this is how the governor is circumventing newly approved constitutional amendments limiting his emergency powers.

“One of the things that concerns us is the abuse of the current law,” said Jason Gottesman, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus.

Responding to the complaint, a spokesperson for the governor said: “The authority of SOH is clearly defined in the current law. We need Republicans to stop spending time undermining public health and instead encourage them. people to get vaccinated. “

Meanwhile, the cleaning industry notes that although the virus is primarily airborne, you can become infected by touching a contaminated surface like a shared desk, handrails, doorknobs, or water fountains.

“These high touch points, making sure we have a hygienic cleaning program and a routine disinfection program are really important,” said Patty Olinger of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council. “Make sure children understand good hygiene and wash their hands and also have hand sanitizer available.”

Pennsylvania House lawmakers are due to return to Harrisburg earlier than planned on September 20 to tackle the issue.

A court hearing on the trial is scheduled for Wednesday.