Rise of COVID-19 cases among US children concerns some Hoosiers
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — New data shows positive COVID-19 cases are on the rise among children as many young Hoosiers head back to class.
A father of three, Michael Scisney, said he’s got concerns about his children and COVID-19.
“Slight worry. But I also worry about their well-being. It’s a tough cross between them just getting the social interactions that they really deserve versus the risk. What is the risk?”
The American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association says the new data shows a 21% increase in positive COVID child cases over a two-week span in August.
“It’s scary as a mother,” said Angelica Velasquez, of Indianapolis.
Thomas Duszynski, epidemiology education director with Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, explains some possible reasons for the increase.
“Zero to 19-year-olds, these are people that are maybe a little bit more mobile, right? Those that are at least 16 years of age and older, they can drive, move about. Twenty- to 29-year-olds, these are people that are more likely to go to a bar or to a restaurant that have now reopened. So, we’ve seen that trend kind of occur.”
Duszynski added, “Then we pile on top of this the reopening of schools, which is challenging in and of itself.”
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance recommends managing the time children spend with others and for how long. The CDC said the risk of COVID-19 is lowest with no in-person play dates. Infrequent play dates with the same family or friend who practices preventive measures, including 6 feet of distance, is medium risk. The highest risk is frequent indoor play dates with multiple families or friends who don’t practice preventative measures, which is one of the reasons why Scisney has his kids play outside.
“I feel like any time you step out of the house, it’s a risk, So, risk versus reward. It’s a constant battle,” Scisney said.