As vaccine mandates are announced this week, there are growing concerns of children getting sick with COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says almost all new COVID-19 infections in the United States are caused by the delta variant.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, almost 72,000 children and teens contracted the virus last week -- up from 39,000 cases reported the week prior.

The American Academy of Pediatrics also says severe illnesses from COVID-19 are uncommon, but there is a great need to collect more data to see the long-term impacts of the pandemic -- including the impact the virus will have on children.

The CDC says the delta variant accounted for more than 93% of new cases reported during the last two weeks of July.