‘Need to double down now’: Doctors encourage safety measures as COVID-19 cases rise among children

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – As coronavirus cases increase among children, doctors across the country and in Wisconsin are urging parents to take precaution.

“What we’ve noticed is over the past several weeks there’s been an increase in the proportion of cases in children,” UW Health’s Dr. Gregory DeMuri said.

DeMuri explained experts believe part of the reason for the increase is a lapse in safety measures like wearing masks, social distancing and good hand hygiene. He says the increase in cases needs to be taken seriously.

“We still do see hospitalizations, we see long-term consequences from the illness in children,” DeMuri said. “It’s really not a walk in the park for kids, it is milder, but we’re still seeing hospitalizations and long-term consequences.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, over the last few weeks there’s been a 56 percent increase in COVID-19 cases among kids compared to February.

“We really need to double down now on our prevention measures,” DeMuri said. “Leaders need to send a strong message and by that, I mean coaches, athletics trainers, athletic directors, school principals, school superintendents, we need to send a strong message that children need to keep masking, keep up with the prevention measures in school and out of school in sporting events.”

DeMuri also said the different COVID-19 variants are contributing to the increase in cases and that’s also why preventative measures need to be in place.