NYDOH: Child hospitalizations due to COVID on the rise

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Friday issued an alert about a rise in pediatric hospitalizations due to COVID-19.

In a report issued Friday, the DOH indicated hospitalizations in children newborn through 18 increased from 70 per week at the start of December 2021, to 571 per week through the end of the year.

During a Friday news briefing, acting State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett cited the data in renewing a push for child vaccinations and boosters.

“Pediatricians, parents, and guardians must do everything possible to ensure their children are fully vaccinated, those 16 and older are boosted, and that children under four are protected because all those around them are fully vaccinated," Bassett said. "During this period of increased spread, layered mitigation is also needed to reduce transmission. This means wearing a proper, well-fitting mask indoors and being conscious of crowds – situations in which the vaccination status of others is unknown.”

The NYSDOH said in the most recent week of reporting, 70% of newly admitted pediatric patients were symptomatic and 54% of children had no known comorbidities.