Hundreds of migrant kids have tested positive for COVID: report

Hundreds of migrant children have tested positive for the coronavirus after arriving at US government shelters over the past year, according to a report on Wednesday.

Among the nearly 2,900 unaccompanied minors to have tested positive, 319 are currently in the system and being held in medical isolation, Axios reported, citing a Department of Health and Human Services official.

Government data obtained by the outlet showed that more than 11,500 kids are currently being held in HHS shelters, meaning about 3 percent are in isolation with COVID-19.

The report comes amid a surge of unaccompanied minors arriving at the US-Mexico border.

Since March 24, 2020, close to 40,000 coronavirus viral tests were administered to unaccompanied children entering the more than 200 facilities in 22 states, the report said.

Some 2,897 of those were confirmed positive, and 2,578 have recovered and were moved out of medical isolation, HHS told Axios.

An HHS spokesman told the outlet that youths are tested upon arrival to the facilities and those who have the bug are taken to isolation rooms on-site and get around-the-clock care.

“The positivity rate in general is what was anticipated, and planning has resulted in robust response,” spokesman Mark Weber said.