Nearly 28,000 school-age kids in Pa. have tested positive for COVID-19 since mid-August
The Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 27,782 children between the ages of 5-18 have tested positive for COVID-19 since Aug. 16. The state tallied 7,924 new cases among kids 5-18 in the most recent week data is available (Sept. 15-21).
The number of cases among school age children is 12 times higher than it was during the same period in 2020, the health department said. It’s important to note in 2020, some school districts were choosing to go with remote instruction on at least some days and some were using virtual instruction all week. Since Aug. 16, the state has also seen 4,851 positive cases among children 4 and under, according to the health department.
Doctors and health officials such as Acting Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson have repeatedly touted the importance of vaccination and wearing masks to protect children who are too young to get the COVID-19 vaccines. Federal regulators have only approved the vaccine for those 12 and older.
“I’m encouraging you to get your COVID vaccine to protect yourself, those around you and those who cannot receive the vaccines, such as children under 12,” Johnson said. Citing the desire to keep kids in classrooms,
Gov. Tom Wolf directed Acting Pennsylvania Health Secretary Alison Beam to issue an order requiring masks in schools and child care centers.
Some lawmakers and parents have filed lawsuits challenging the mask order,
arguing the decision should be left to local school boards and families.
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2021/09/nearly-28000-school-age-kids-in-pa-have-tested-positive-for-covid-19-since-mid-august.html