Question: I was reading that cases and hospitalizations among children were rising in the US.  Are kids who are sick from the Delta variant more likely to be hospitalized?

Answer: Cases and hospitalizations among children are indeed increasing nationally (Figures 1 and 2).  In the first week of August, the US witnessed approximately 93,000 new cases among children and 225 new hospitalizations per day (1,575/week).  The number of hospitalizations among children was the highest yet since the pandemic began, despite cases not having reached the same high levels as in the December/January wave.  In fact, across younger age groups ages 0-49, hospitalizations per 100,000 pop. have reached or exceeded their previous December/January highs.  Conversely, higher proportions of older age groups are vaccinated and are not witnessing hospitalization levels anywhere close to the winter peaks.  Increases in hospitalizations among children and young adults are another indication that Delta is more dangerous than previously circulating strains.  That said, I want to temper this update with a reassurance that COVID-related hospitalization among children remains uncommon, even if it is increasing. 

Figure 1. National Trends in COVID cases among Children (from American Academy of Pediatrics)

Figure 2. National Trends in COVID-related Hospitalizations among Children, per 100,000 pop. (from CDC) Peak 7-day average is from the week of August 1-8, 2021 with 225 hospitalizations/day.