Amid an uncontrolled pandemic, the decision to hold or cancel in-person K-12 classes hinges in part on early evidence that children face less risk from COVID-19.

But research shows they are far from immune.

A recent study in the journal JAMA Pediatrics shows an eight-fold increase in the average pediatric hospitalization rate for COVID-19 nationwide.

From May 15 to Nov. 15, Arizona saw a 4,000% growth in its rate — five times the average across the 22 states studied.

By the end of those six months, the rate per 100,000 people went from less than one to almost 33 children, placing Arizona second only to South Dakota.

The gap in the state between pediatric and adult hospitalization rates also narrowed significantly.

In the last three months, Arizona has seen a five-fold increase in the number of children being admitted to the hospital with COVID-related illnesses. That makes us the state in the country with the highest volume of children per capita in the hospital due to the pandemic.

That’s according to Dr. David Moromisato, the chief medical officer at Banner Desert Medical Center. He specializes in pediatric critical care medicine, and he told The Show they’re seeing the increase — and it’s sometimes devastating effects — at Banner Children’s hospital.

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