As the White House strives to prevent the spread of the Omicron variant of coronavirus in the United States, New York is witnessing a four times higher increase in hospitalisation due to COVID-19 among children. The New York State Department of Health has handed out a notification about “an increase in pediatric hospitalizations associated with COVID-19.”
The US has documented nearly 190,000 new infections per day over the last week
The United States has observed an unexpected rise in COVID-19 cases as a result of the new variant, Omicron. It is one of the most contagious coronavirus variants. According to data furnished by Johns Hopkins University, the nation has documented nearly 190,000 new infections per day over the last week. The rise of the Omicron variant overlapped with the popular holiday season.
The risks of COVID-19 for children are real
New York City “identified four-times increases in COVID-19 hospital admissions for children 18 and under beginning the week of December 5 through the current week”. The holiday season also increased demand for COVID-19 tests, resulting in scarcity. Anthony Fauci, a US pandemic expert and White House advisor, affirmed the scarcity of COVID-19 tests. “One of the problems is that that’s not going to be available to everyone until we get to January and there are still some issues now of people having trouble getting tested,” Fauci told ABC News. “But we’re addressing the testing problem.”
“The risks of COVID-19 for children are real. We are alerting New Yorkers to this recent striking increase in pediatric COVID-19 admissions so that paediatricians, parents and guardians can take urgent action to protect our youngest New Yorkers. We must use all available safe and effective infection control, prevention and mitigation strategies,” the release quoted acting State Health Commissioner Dr Mary T Bassett as saying. Aside from burdensome clinics and COVID-19 testing sites, the new variant has compelled the revocation of hundreds of flights in the United States. As crews were sick or quarantined due to exposure to the virus.
