CDC Update: 75% of children who died from COVID had underlying diseases

In a new report published by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last September 18, 2020, it explored the data on COVID-associated deaths among children below 21 years. The report covered the period between February 12 to July 31, 2020.

The report showed that of the 190,000 SARS-CoV-2 associated deaths in the US, 121 were persons below 21 years, with those aged 18-20 years registering a disproportionate percentage. The report also revealed that 91 of those who died (or 75% of all deaths under 21 years) had an underlying medical condition. Of this 91, 45% had two or more underlying medical conditions, with chronic lung disease, asthma, obesity, neurologic and developmental conditions, and cardiovascular conditions as the most frequently reported conditions.

The report also showed that 74% of all deaths under 21 years were Hispanic or Black.

Editor’s Note: Based on the data on this CDC update, we see clearly that the case fatality rate of those under 21 years is 0.064%. In comparison, 1,473 children who are 14 years and below died due to pneumonia and influenza in 2017 ¹ https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2018/007.pdf. This data will increase if we include the figures for those aged 15-21 years. From this comparison alone, we can see clearly that COVID-19 disease among children is overhyped, and that there is no sense in shutting down schools and preventing children from leaving their homes due to a disease that is less deadly than the flu [note also that children are not a major driver of disease, see Global Study: No child known has passed coronavirus to adults, French study shows children don’t spread the coronavirus].

This CDC update also mirrors the result of a recent study in the UK which shows that children who are healthy are safe from the complications of SARS-CoV-2 [see New study: All children in UK who died of COVID-19 were already seriously ill]. Children’s lives can be back to normal even without vaccines. There is no point in holding them hostage.

Resources

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  https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/2018/007.pdf