(WSIL) -- A significant increase in coronavirus cases among children in the United States was reported Tuesday.
The American Academy of Pediatrics released a report stating the number of cases in children reached 513,415.
The report showed 70,630 new cases between Aug. 20 and Sept. 3. That was a 16 percent increase over the past two weeks.
AAP stated the data shows the need for control of the virus before schools and businesses fully open.
“These numbers are a chilling reminder of why we need to take this virus seriously,� AAP President Sara “Sally� Goza, MD, FAAP, said. “While much remains unknown about COVID-19, we do know that the spread among children reflects what is happening in the broader communities.�
“A disproportionate number of cases are reported in Black and Hispanic children and in places where there is high poverty,� Goza continued. “We must work harder to address societal inequities that contribute to these disparities.�
According to the report, children now make up 9.8 percent of all cases reported in the United States.
AAP stated the data is “limited� due to reliance on state data and how each state reports the data.
