Child hospitalizations due to COVID-19 more than doubled in the past week in Colorado

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment said 58 children are in hospitals across Colorado this week with COVID-19 up from 25 last week, according to our news partners at 9News in Denver.

Children currently make up 4.5% of total hospitalizations in the state.

Health officials are attributing this spike to the rise in the Omicron variant and its high transmissibility. A pediatrician at Denver West Pediatrics said it's so contagious, several families are battling the Omicron variant after already having been infected with the Delta variant over Thanksgiving.

With kids returning to school this week, health officials still said the most effective protection against the virus is the vaccine, which is now available for children five and up. This week the FDA also approved the booster shot for ages 12-17.