New data out this week shows that more than 500,000 children in
the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus since the
pandemic began, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP). The group said children represented 9.8% of all COVID-19
cases in the U.S., where more than 6.3 million total cases have
been reported, per a tally by Johns Hopkins University.

The AAP reported there were 70,630 new child cases, a 16%
increase over two weeks, between August 20 and September 3,
which brings the national total to 513,415. Puerto Rico was
among six states and territories that showed an increase in
child cases.

The AAP and the Children's Hospital Association compiled the
data of children of varying ages as reported by 49 state health
departments, New York City, Puerto Rico and Guam. Texas was
excluded from the analysis, the AAP noted.

children-coronavirus-percent-increase-september-2020-aap.jpg
Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics show the percent
increase in child cases of COVID-19 between August 20 and
September 3, 2020. The data was derived from 49 states, New York
City, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Texas was
excluded from the count.
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Coronavirus deaths among children
The report said the cumulative death toll in the U.S. for
children due to the coronavirus is 103. In a subset of data that
was analyzed from 42 states and New York City, children were 0-
0.3% of all COVID-19 deaths, and 18 states reported zero child
deaths.

"At this time, it appears that severe illness due to COVID-19 is
rare among children," the AAP said. But health experts have said
that kids can spread COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control has issued new data
about a deadly and mysterious pediatric illness with apparent
links to the coronavirus. Since mid-May, the CDC has been
following an outbreak of Multisystem Inflammatory Illness in
Children (MIS-C), which is also or sometimes referred to as PMIS.

The CDC describes it as "a rare but serious condition associated
with COVID-19" that sometimes presents after a COVID illness or
after contact with someone with COVID-19. Instead of attacking
the lungs like the new coronavirus disease does in adults, this
syndrome, while seemingly very rare, can trigger serious, even
deadly cardiac complications in kids.

As of September 3, the CDC has collected reports of 792
confirmed cases of MIS-C and 16 deaths across 42 states, New
York City and Washington, D.C. Other cases are under
investigation.

The CDC's data suggests that "most cases are in children between
the ages of 1 and 14 years, with an average age of 8 years."
They also note that "more than 70% of reported cases have
occurred in children who are Hispanic/Latino (276 cases) or Non-
Hispanic Black (230 cases)."

Some students returning to in-person classes
The AAP report was released as thousands of children returned to
school this week for in-person classes. On Long Island, parents
seemed nervous and excited as they dropped their children off.

Students lined up in Richardson, Texas, for temperature checks
before entering the building. Forrester Elementary in San
Antonio is usually packed with 850 kids; but this morning, only
53 opted for in-person classes.

"I feel like they're just a little off balance, maybe a little
bit with the rooms looking different, everybody wearing masks,"
principal Kelly Mantle told CBS News. "I think it is going to
become a new norm for a little while and children are going to
get used to it and we're getting used to it every day that goes
by."

The new figures from the AAP have some educators worried, like
those in suburban Phoenix, where the first day of in-person
classes was canceled after teachers called in sick.

In New York, new cases are up more than 25% compared to two
weeks ago. And with New York City schools preparing for in-
person classes in the coming weeks, Governor Andrew Cuomo is
trying to quell parents' fears.

"We're going to have a COVID report card for every school in the
state," he said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid19-kids-half-million-test-
positive-united-states-cases/
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