COVID Variant B.1.1.7 Is Increasingly Affecting Children More Than Previous Waves

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The B.1.1.7 strain of COVID-19, which originated in the UK, has proven to be more contagious and potentially more lethal than prior variants. Despite significant progress in reducing COVID-19 cases through vaccination efforts in the U.S., recent weeks have seen a concerning uptick in cases that many experts attribute to the emergence of more virulent variants. This strain is now the predominant form of the virus in the United States, according to the CDC.

On April 8, 2021, CDC Director Dr. Lisa Thompson announced that B.1.1.7 has been identified in all 50 states, becoming the leading variant in circulation. Alarmingly, evidence suggests that this variant spreads more readily among children. “Reports indicate clusters of infections linked to daycare centers and youth sports nationwide,” Thompson stated. Historically, children have been less affected and played a limited role in the transmission of previous COVID strains.

Dr. Alex Johnson, head of Infectious Disease Studies at the University of California, expressed concern over new findings regarding B.1.1.7’s behavior in children, prompting a reassessment of in-person schooling policies. “This variant exhibits different epidemiological characteristics,” he explained to Health News. “I believe reopening schools could significantly increase the spread of B.1.1.7 in our communities, leading to a reevaluation of our strategies in the coming weeks as transmission escalates.”

A recent study published in the International Journal of Medicine highlighted that B.1.1.7 is a significant contributor to COVID infections among children. In January, over 50,000 children in Israel tested positive, surpassing numbers from previous surges, coinciding with the variant’s spread. Meanwhile, in Italy, a village reported that 60% of COVID cases were found in infants and young children.

Michigan is facing a severe spike in cases, with infections among those aged 10 to 19 increasing by 133% in just one week. Dr. Sarah Jennings, an expert in pediatric infectious diseases, noted, “There’s evidence suggesting that children may transmit the U.K. variant of COVID more easily than earlier strains. This raises concerns about potential family transmission and community spread, especially with the ongoing return to classrooms and relaxed social distancing guidelines.” While the disease remains relatively mild in children, there is still a risk of severe outcomes.

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In summary, the B.1.1.7 COVID variant is spreading more rapidly among children than earlier strains, raising alarms among health officials. With reported clusters in schools and daycare centers, experts are re-evaluating the implications for public health, particularly as schools reopen and social distancing measures are relaxed.