COVID-19 has been used to hospitalize more than 1,900 children in America, a record number.
Dr. Anthony Fauci described the current wave of unvaccinated as an "epidemic."
The increase in cases has reignited debates about vaccine and mask mandates.
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As the Delta variant continues to be a problem, the number of children hospitalized in the United States with COVID-19 is at an all-time high.
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, there were 1,902 children in the hospital as of Saturday.
2.4% of all coronavirus-related hospitalizations in the country are now attributable to children.
US officials have encouraged citizens to get vaccinated in order to protect themselves against the more deadly Delta variant. The vaccine is not available to children under 12, making them even more vulnerable.
These latest figures are coming amid reports that hospitals across the South have been overwhelmed. One Mississippi doctor warned that the state's hospital system could fail due to the COVID-19 rise.
Alabama's pediatric hospital said Thursday it was treating 22 COVID-19 patients, five of whom were on ventilators.
Chief medical advisor to the White House, Dr. Anthony Fauci described the current wave of unvaccinated as an "epidemic."
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data shows that 50.5% of Americans are fully vaccinated and that 59.4% have had at least one dose. Millions of people have yet to get their shots.
Joe Biden failed to reach his goal of having 70% of adults vaccinated before Independence Day.
"This isn't last year's COVID. "This one is worse, and our children will be the ones most affected by it," Sally Goza (ex-president of the American Academy of Pediatrics) told CNN Saturday
According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Reuters reported that newly admitted COVID-19 patients aged between 18 and 49 reached record levels this week.
This spike in cases has reignited debates about vaccine mandates and whether schools should require children to wear masks.
California is the first state to require teachers and school personnel to get vaccinated or tested regularly for COVID-19.
Schools in Arizona, Texas, and Florida have now made it mandatory that students wear masks to school, in direct violation of Republican governors who had banned such rules.
Becky Pringle is the president of the largest teacher union in the country, the National Education Association. She said that she supports mandatory vaccinations for its members.
"Students under 12 years old cannot get vaccinated. We have to ensure their safety. Pringle explained to CNN that keeping them safe requires that everyone who is able should be vaccinated." Pringle said.
