2. The “Back-to-School” Effect: Why Cases Are Increasing Now

The timing of this increase is no coincidence. Data from both the United States and Turkey shows a clear rise in COVID-19 cases among young children as the summer ends and schools and daycares reopen. This is especially noticeable in the 0-4 age group in the U.S.

While this has led to more families seeking medical care—emergency room visits in the U.S. rose by 15.2% in August—the overall severity remains low. Crucially, hospitalization and death rates have not seen a significant increase. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control confirms that while virus activity is picking up, it’s rising from a very low baseline and is not overwhelming healthcare systems.

With children back in close contact, it’s important to know about the specific new variants that are currently circulating.