14 of top 20 days for COVID-related pediatric hospitalizations fell during this month

Children under 18 recently made up 29 percent of all COVID cases in the state, data shows. And, while very few wind up in the hospital, during this last month, the number has consistently been higher than many other times during the pandemic.

"That's because the delta variant is much more transmissible," said Dr. Michael Smith, one of the co-investigators of Duke's Pfizer trial. "So we’re having a greater number of kids who are getting sick."

Last week, more than 9,500 of the new cases were among people under 18 years old; that’s 29 percent of all cases reported.

Smith says more of those kids are needing care in hospitals. Federal data shows 14 of the top 20 days for pediatric hospitalizations came during this month.

The trend alarms Smith but there is some good news.

"It doesn’t seem to be more severe," he said. "But when you have a fixed percentage of kids who get sick and come into the hospital, and then you're having more and more sick kids, the number is increasing in the hospital."

Smith added that generally, children fare better than adults who catch COVID. Data backs up that statement. Of the 16-thousand deaths in North Carolina, only 7 have been among people under 18.

Smith says the best way to keep COVID out of your house and kids safe, especially those who can’t get vaccinated, is to get vaccinated yourself.