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Kids and COVID-19; cases up as life resumes

Posted at 5:34 PM, Jul 20, 2020
and last updated 2020-07-20 18:12:27-04

LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Given what we’ve learned about COVID-19 over the last five months, this should come as a surprise to absolutely no one. As we've allowed kids to ease back into the playgrounds, ball fields, and daycare centers, the number of positive coronavirus cases is trending upward.

"Kids were really well protected when we did the quarantine back in the beginning," said Dr. Katrina Hood of Lexington's Pediatric and Adolescent Associates. "So we just didn't see it."

And to be honest, it isn't easy to see what you don't seek out.

"We are testing more," Hood said. "When you test more, there are cases. You are going to find more."

Hood said her practice is seeing more cases of late. She says a return to those daily activities and being allowed to assemble in larger groups are all factors. And of course, in the next month, the plan is to return to school, for many. Hood isn't overly concerned about the healthy children being able to battle the virus. It's those who are somewhat compromised due to asthma or other conditions.

"Those kids need to be in school too. How do we protect them?" Hood asked. "But I do recognize, as a pediatrician, how very important school is," she continued.