Rates of Covid-19 hospitalizations for children and adults under 50 reach their highest levels yet, CDC data shows

CNN — The pace of Covid-19 hospitalizations is surging across the US, with the rates for children and adults under 50 hitting their highest levels yet, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “During this surge of the Delta variant … we are seeing a significantly greater impact on our children and our teens,” Dr. Jim Fortenberry, chief medical officer at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, said at a news conference Thursday, where several hospital officials in the Atlanta area warned of the impact the current surge is having on their hospitals. Andy Beshear is standing by an executive order he signed last week mandating masks in schools, telling CNN Thursday, “I know what is right.” Beshear, a Democrat, told CNN’s Kate Bolduan he would rather look back at this time knowing he did the right thing for the health of residents in his state, and not just what would be popular. “Sending unmasked, unvaccinated kids into a poorly ventilated classroom is like holding the world’s largest chickenpox party, except instead of chickenpox it is the third leading cause of death last year.” Boosters to be available from late September US health officials released a joint statement Wednesday about providing booster vaccine doses in the fall, if authorized by the FDA and approved by the CDC. The protection provided against what Murthy described as “the worst of Covid,” like hospitalizations, severe disease and death, “remains strong, and that is why people who are fully vaccinated should still feel good.” Data is currently showing some waning protection against mild and moderate disease, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said, and the boosters are meant to preempt the possible waning of protection against severe disease that other countries have seen.