A new study from the American Academy of Pediatrics [AAP] reported on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases in children have increased by 84% in the last week, with 72,000 new cases of the virus reported as of July 29, up from 39,000 cases reported the week before.

According to the study, the AAP collaborated with Children's Hospitals of America to help collect and share data about pediatric cases of the virus, which accounted for only 14.3 percent of the total cumulative cases. For the week ending July 29, that share increased to 19%. 4.2 million children have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic began.

The American Academy of Pediatrics's report states the number of COVID-19 cases in children has risen from 14.3 percent to 19 percent.

The statistics are particularly concerning with millions of children set to return to classrooms across the country over the next month. In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis has made it illegal for school boards to mandate mask requirements in schools, even as cases surge in his state.

Meanwhile, the Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson said on Wednesday he regrets passing a similar mask ban in his state as cases swell there. The governor now wants to amend the law to give schools the option to adopt their own mask requirements.

Governors in certain states have been demanding the state be allowed to make their own mask mandates rather than a Federal mandate when it comes to schools.
The American Academy of Pediatrics's report states the number of COVID-19 cases in children has risen from 14.3 percent to 19 percent.
Los Angeles Times via Getty Imag

The study does note that "it appears that severe illness due to COVID-19 is uncommon among children." AAP did say there is an "urgent need" to learn more about the pandemic's long-term effects on children's physical, mental and emotional health. 

Among the 23 states and New York City reviewed by AAP, children's hospitalizations made up 1.3 – 3.5 percent of all COVID-19 hospitalizations for the week ending July 29.

American Academy of Pediatrics released a report on August 4, 2021 saying that COVID-19 cases among young children have risen significantly.
American Academy of Pediatrics released a report on on Aug. 4, 2021, saying that COVID-19 cases among children have risen significantly.
Allen J Schaben/Los Angeles Time

According to the study, children were 0.00 – 0.26 percent of all COVID-19 deaths, and seven states reported zero child deaths among data from 43 states, New York City, Puerto Rico and Guam, with 0.00 – 0.03 percent of all child COVID-19 cases resulted in death in those areas.

In total, 526 children have died from the virus, according to the CDC, and 10.9 million of about 25 million children ages 12 and 17 years old have been vaccinated with at least one dose of vaccine, according to CDC data.