As Michigan braces for what appears to be a fourth surge in the number of coronavirus cases in the state, new data from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services shows that the surge is in large part due to a rising number of cases among children and teens.

According to the MDHHS, the average daily number of cases of COVID-19 among children under 10 years old has jumped 230 percent which is more than any other age group. Close behind, the number of cases among persons from 10 to 19 years of age has risen 227 percent.

Infectious disease experts in our state attribute the spike in cases to the reopening of schools and the reengagement in sports activities for young people. The data shows that 40% of new outbreaks can be traced to K-12 schools or youth programs, according to CBS News.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says another reason for the spike is social gatherings that follow youth sporting events.

"If everyone is removing their mask and going out to dinner to celebrate a big win then all of those precautions go out the door,"  Bagdasarian said. "So really, this seems to have driven this surge."

In the video below, CBS News takes a look at the long-term effects COVID-19 can have on children, kids now referred to as 'COVID Longhaulers.'

On Friday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer asked for school districts to voluntarily suspend in-person learning for high school students and suspend youth sports activities for two weeks. The governor also suggested that Michiganders suspend indoor dining in the two weeks following most school districts' spring break period.

 

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