Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

April 6, 2020

Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children—United States, February 12-April 2, 2020

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  • The CDC COVID-19 Response Team reviewed lab confirmed pediatric cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. during February 12-April 2 and compared it to data on adults aged 18-64 years. Of the 149,082 (99.6%) cases for which age was known, 1.7% were among children under 18 years old and the median age was 11 years. Among the small proportion of patients with data available, 73% had symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath compared with 93% of adults, and 5.7% were hospitalized compared to 10% of adults. 
  • These preliminary findings further add to current knowledge that children do not always have fever or cough, and can play a role in spread of COVID-19, underscoring the importance of following CDC guidance of staying at home, good respiratory hygiene and wearing cloth face coverings when around others. 
  • Additionally, clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for COVID-19 in children and monitor for progression of illness, particularly among infants and children with underlying conditions. 

CDC COVID-19 Response Team (Apr 6, 2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Children—United States, February 12-April 2, 2020. MMWR. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6914e4.htm?s_cid=mm6914e4_w