COVID-19 hospitalizations in young children have reached their highest level yet in the United States, as Omicron fuels a major surge in cases, but it is not clear yet whether the variant causes more severe disease in young children, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky\u2019s telephone briefing with reporters on COVID-19 was among the first in months and followed criticism over recent guidance given by the agency, and lack of access by the media to her beyond carefully orchestrated and televised White House COVID-19 briefings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have not yet seen a signal that there is any increased severity\u201d in children under 5, who are not yet eligible for vaccination, Walensky told the briefing. She said the increase in cases in general could be one explanation for the surge in hospitalizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read more:<\/strong> Omicron FAQ: Everything you need to know about the COVID-19 variant<\/p>\n\n\n\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said the cases represent both increases in children coming to the hospital because of COVID-19 and those coming to the hospital for another reason and then testing positive for COVID.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trending Stories<\/p>\n\n\n\n