NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — Instances of COVID-19 amongst youngsters in New York are resulting in an “uptick” in hospitalizations, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Well being Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett stated Monday.
“On Friday, the well being division launched a communication to well being staff, principally pediatricians, known as a ‘well being alert,’” stated Bassett. “It identified that we’d noticed an uptick in pediatric admissions concentrated within the New York City space, the place there was a rise of about 4 fold.”
The numbers nonetheless don’t level to an “epidemic” of the virus amongst youngsters, Bassett stated. The statistics, in line with her, embody youngsters who examined optimistic earlier than getting into the hospital and a few after they had been already admitted.
CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
From Dec. 5-11, there have been 70 new pediatric hospitalizations statewide, together with 22 within the metropolis.
From Dec. 12-18, there have been 104 new pediatric hospitalizations statewide, together with 43 within the metropolis.
From Dec. 19-23, the state recorded 184 new pediatric hospitalizations, together with 109 within the metropolis.
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As of Dec. 24, not one of the youngsters ages 5-11 who had been hospitalized had been vaccinated, Bassett stated.
“Our vaccination charges amongst 5-to-11-year-olds stay disappointingly low,” she stated. “It’s clear that vaccination actually reduces the possibility of extreme sickness. Boosting, for those who’re eligible for it, actually provides to that.”
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COVID VACCINE
“The numbers that we gave on pediatric admissions weren’t meant to make it appear that youngsters had been having an epidemic of an infection,” Bassett added. “It actually was to inspire pediatricians and households to hunt the safety of vaccination.”
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Gov. Hochul stated her administration is encouraging the FDA to approve the COVID vaccine for youngsters below 5 years outdated.
