Fla., Nears 9,000 Hospitalizations For COVID; CDC Notes Increase Among Children

Florida Phoenix

January 7, 2022

With the omicron variant continuing to sweep the nation, federal health authorities on Friday pointed to an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, including an alarming rate of hospitalizations among children.

In Florida, the number of people hospitalized continues to increase, as well, according to data reported Friday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. That report shows 8,914 inpatient beds in use for COVID, up from 8,062 hospitalizations reported by the Florida Hospital Association on Thursday.

The FHA on Friday reported that 204 children were hospitalized with COVID, an increase of 90.6 percent over the previous week and an increase of 365.6 percent over the past two weeks.

Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced that pediatric hospitalizations are at an all-time high, adding that “this is the highest number of pediatric hospitalizations we have seen throughout this pandemic.”

Health officials said the omicron variant has rapidly become the dominant version of the coronavirus in the United States, triggering nationwide surges and several private colleges and universities to opt for remote learning for at least part of the spring academic semester, although not public colleges and universities in Florida.

Parents in K-12 schools have expressed concerns about omicron due to its high transmissibility and recent surges, Walensky said during a press call.

“We are still learning more about the severity of omicron in children and whether these increases we are seeing in hospitalization reflect a greater burden of disease in the community,” Walensky said.

Overall, nearly 15 percent of inpatient beds at Florida hospitals are being used for COVID-19, according to Friday’s report from HHS. Data show 58,561 total inpatient beds, based on 270 Florida hospitals reporting. And 47,870 inpatient beds are in use.

“Hospitalization rates have increased for people of all ages,” Walensky said. “And while children still have the lowest rate of hospitalization of any group, pediatric hospitalizations are at the highest rate compared to any prior point during the pandemic.”

During the press call, Walensky said the large number of pediatric hospitalizations has been reported in children younger than 4, a group not yet eligible for vaccination.

“For our youngest children, those who are not yet eligible for vaccines, it’s critically important that we surround them with people who are vaccinated,” she said.

Walenksy urged parents to get their children inoculated against COVID and booster shots for increased protection, if eligible. Just more than 50 percent of children ages 12 to 17 are fully vaccinated, she noted.

“For those children who are eligible, I strongly encourage their parents to get them vaccinated,” Walensky said.

The Florida Phoenix, a nonprofit news site that’s free of advertising and free to readers, covers state government and politics through a mix of in-depth stories, briefs, and social media updates on the latest events, editorial cartoons, and progressive commentary. The Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.