Hospitalizations Associated with COVID-19 Among Children and Adolescents — COVID-NET, 14 States, March 1, 2020–August 14, 2021

Abstract

What is already known about this topic? COVID-19 can cause severe illness in children and adolescents. What is added by this report? Weekly COVID-19-associated hospitalization rates among children and adolescents rose nearly five-fold during late June-mid-August 2021, coinciding with increased circulation of the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. The proportions of hospitalized children and adolescents with severe disease were similar before and during the period of Delta predominance. Hospitalization rates were 10 times higher among unvaccinated than among fully vaccinated adolescents. What are the implications for public health practice? Preventive measures to reduce transmission and severe outcomes in children and adolescents are critical, including vaccination, universal masking in schools, and masking by persons aged >2 years in other indoor public spaces and child care centers.