Child COVID-19 hospitalizations up nearly 400 percent in New York City

Pediatric COVID-19 hospitalizations in New York City rose by roughly 400 percent in December as the highly transmissible omicron variant spread throughout the state

From Dec. 11 to 23, the number of children in New York City hospitalized with COVID-19 rose by 395 percent, WABC-TV reported. The number of cases rose from 22 to 109 in the city, while the number of cases statewide rose from 70 to 184.

“We are alerting New Yorkers to this recent striking increase in pediatric COVID-19 admissions so that pediatricians, parents and guardians can take urgent action to protect our youngest New Yorkers.” said acting State Health Commissioner Mary Bassett.

WABC noted that the current rise in cases is particularly impacting unvaccinated children, despite New York’s high rate of vaccination. None of the children aged 5-11 who were hospitalized in New York City beginning Dec. 5 were fully vaccinated, according to the station.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) has called on New York parents to get their kids vaccinated before the winter break is over and thousands of students return to school.

“We have the supply. We have the capacity. We have the staff in place for every child to be vaccinated who is eligible,” said Hochul. Hochul said that officials are aiming to keep schools open and will be deploying measures like sending out 3.5 million COVID-19 tests to schools.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, around 80 percent of city residents are at least partially vaccinated. About half of children aged between 5 and 17 are also at least partially vaccinated.