Nearly 252,000 child COVID-19 cases were reported for the week ending Sep 2, the largest number recorded for children during the pandemic, according to the report. . Children accounted for 26.8% of reported weekly US cases.

The AAP said this was the largest number of child cases in a week since the pandemic began.

"After declining in early summer, child cases have increased exponentially, with over 750,000 cases added between August 5 and September 2," the AAP said.

Hospitalization and death are still rare outcomes in pediatric cases of the virus, the AAP said. But as school starts across the country with the Delta (B1617.2) variant surging, more cases in kids are likely.