PHOENIX – Data from the state’s largest network of hospitals show hospitalizations for COVID-19 pediatric patients for January are almost six times higher than in October.
ABC15 received internal data from Banner Health showing that nearly 800 children were hospitalized in their Arizona hospitals.
Banner Health shared the chart below showing the number of pediatric patients (under 18) who were hospitalized.
In an email, Banner Health said:
Note: These statistics for Banner Hospitals in Arizona are not specific to patients treated in the IU. They also include patients who have needed less care.
- 795 children (18 years and younger) admitted with COVID from October 1, 2020
- In November, 2.5 times more children were admitted with COVID, then in October 2020
- In December, 5 times more children were admitted with COVID, then in October 2020
- In January 2021, it seems that 6 times more children will be admitted with COVID than in October 2020. (The January issue is projected, not from year to present).
A recent report released last week by JAMA Pediatrics found that Arizona had the second highest rate of pediatric hospitalizations per 100,000 in the May-November study period.
“At the end of the study, Hawaii and New Hampshire had the lowest rates of 4.3 and 3.4 per 100,000, respectively, and South Dakota and Arizona had the highest rates of 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 see with more COVID-19 pediatric patients is worrying,” Banner Health officials said. .
Banner Health officials say they have capacity for children in their hospitals and that there is no capacity issue.
“Parents should ensure that their children engage safely with others to protect them and reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community,” Banner Health officials said.