PHOENIX – Data from the largest network of hospitals in the state show that admissions of pediatric COVID-19 patients in January are almost six times greater than in October.
ABC15 received internal data from Banner Health that shows that almost 800 children have been admitted to their hospitals across Arizona.
Banner Health shared the chart below that shows the number of pediatric patients (under 18) who were admitted.
In an email, Banner Health said:
Note: These statistics for Banner hospitals in Arizona are not specific for patients treated in the ICU. They also include patients who have needed inferior care.
- 795 children (18 years and under) admitted to COVID since October 1, 2020
- In November, 2.5 times more children were admitted to COVID than in October 2020
- In December, 5 times more children were admitted to COVID than in October 2020
- In January 2021, it appears that 6 times more children will be admitted to COVID than in October 2020. (The January figure is projected, not to date).
A recent report released last week by JAMA Pediatrics found that Arizona had the second highest rate of pediatric hospitalizations per 100,000 during the study period from May to November.
“At the end of the study, Hawaii and New Hampshire had the lowest rates, 4.3 and 3.4 per 100,000, respectively, and South Dakota and Arizona had the highest rates, 33.7 and 32.8 per 100,000” , said the study.
“Symptoms in children are generally milder than in adults and almost all pediatric patients can recover and be discharged, but the trend we are seeing with more COVID-19 pediatric patients is worrisome,” said Banner Health officials.
Banner Health officials say they have a capacity for children within their hospitals, and that there is no capacity problem.
“Parents must ensure that their children are safely involved with others to protect them and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community,” said Banner Health officials.