New data shows an uptick in COVID-19 cases among children as health experts warn the public not to travel for the holidays.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reported Monday there’s been 144,145 new cases of coronavirus in children from Nov. 12 to 19.
Nearly 1.2 million children have tested positive for the virus as of Nov. 19, the AAP says.
The surge in cases comes after several states across the U.S. have imposed tougher restrictions to curb the spread.
In New York, Gov. Cuomo ordered bars and restaurants to close at 10 p.m., and encouraged small gatherings. The city is also setting up an emergency field hospital on Staten Island to treat COVID patients.
In California, residents underwent an overnight curfew last week, and, in Pennsylvania, officials announced Monday no alcohol sales in eateries the night before Thanksgiving and stay at home mandates.
Medical experts have also urged people to stay home instead of traveling to see their loved ones for the holidays.
“You might want to reconsider travel plans, and certainly try as best as you can to keep congregate meetings indoors as innocent and as wonderful as they sound, to a minimum number of people, preferably just members of a household.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases doctor, told the Washington Post on Monday.
There have been more than 12 million cases and more than 257,000 coronavirus deaths in the U.S., according to John Hopkins University.