Over 6 mln U.S. children contract COVID-19: pediatrics academy

Special: Battle Against Novel Coronavirus

More than 6 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 in the United States since the beginning of the pandemic, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) was quoted by CBS as saying on Monday.

Child cases peaked in September in the country, said the academy, as over 250,000 U.S. children tested positive that month.

Children returning to classrooms and relaxed mask requirements contributed to the recent spike, said Dennis Cunningham, a pediatrician and system medical director of Infection Control and Prevention at Henry Ford Health System.

"Last year, we had really strict rules for people wearing mask and that's why schools were able to stay open without outbreaks. This year there's no mandate," he said.

According to the AAP, 46 percent of children aged 12-17 are fully vaccinated in the country, but the number of vaccination is declining each week.