PEORIA, Ill. – While cases of COVID-19 in children in the Tri-County area account for a very small number of hospitalizations, they are accounting for a large number of new cases overall.
Peoria City/County Health Department Administrator Monica Hendrickson says nearly 39 percent of all new cases in the area are among those aged zero to 19. 25 percent of all new cases are among those aged 10 to 19.
“There are more congregate settings for children of that age, regardless of just school alone, which is much more indoor, but other school activities — so, sports, dance teams…independent from just a school setting,” said Hendrickson.
In other words, Hendrickson says wearing masks inside the classroom clearly works, but it’s outside that may be the problem.
And, Hendrickson says like other recent new cases…
“Overall, unvaccinated is at a higher rate of cases than anyone that is vaccinated,” said Hendrickson. “But, the steepest growth we’ve seen is in that youth population.”
Hendrickson says she knows children aged zero to 11 can’t yet get vaccinated, but if you’re older than 12, there’s no reason not to get the COVID vaccine.
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