State, U.S. COVID-19 cases skewing younger
As local officials and medical professionals have been urging young adults to take the COVID-19 pandemic more seriously, recent data could grab their attention.
In Connecticut, residents under 30 years old are starting to comprise a larger percentage of new coronavirus cases, according to data released by Gov. Ned Lamont’s office.
It follows a nationwide trend that shows a 299 percent increase in recent hospitalizations for those between the ages of 18 and 29, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As of June 27, there were 34.7 hospitalizations per 100,000 people for those aged 18 to 29, rising from 8.7 per 100,000 in that age group as of April 18, the CDC reported.
According to Lamont’s office, the age group of 20 to 29 had the highest number of new COVID-19 cases — 115 — between July 5 and July 11. By comparison, there were 43 new cases among those aged 60 to 69 and 31 among those 80 and older.
Dr. Michael Parry, chief of infectious diseases at Stamford Hospital, said about half of the people who tested positive for COVID-19 in his hospital this month have been 40 and younger.
“In the past, that group accounted for maybe 20 percent of positive tests,” he said. “It’s gone up as the (number of cases in the) older population has decreased.”
In Norwalk, Mayor Harry Rilling has noted a similar trend. Rilling said Norwalk residents under 30 years old have accounted for 36 percent of the city’s coronavirus cases in June and July, doubling from 18 percent in March.
But Rilling cautioned that the jump in percentage is a matter of proportions. He said Norwalk now has a small number of COVID cases — about seven or eight a week — so the percentages appear more dramatic.
“We’re seeing more young people by percentage, but we’re seeing low numbers overall,” Rilling said.
Other communities are seeing more fluctuation. For instance, Danbury reported that only one of its 14 new cases this month involved someone between the ages of 20 and 29. However, Danbury had 22 cases among residents 20 to 29 last month — the highest of any age group.
Ed Briggs, health director of Ridgefield, said the majority of town residents who recently tested positive for the coronavirus have been in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
“This suggests that younger folks are getting out more and may be getting a little careless with precautions such as social distancing and mask wearing,” he said.
New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan issued a similar warning to young residents and their parents after there were several reports of recent parties in town and large gatherings at Waveny Park.
“I urge parents to caution their teens and young adults to not be irresponsible and avoid large gatherings and wear masks when around others,” Moynihan said.
Parry said more young people are not necessarily getting sick. It’s that fewer older people are being stricken with the disease.
“It’s mainly the proportion,” he said. “But in the older population, it’s fallen dramatically, that’s why the proportion has changed.”
Parry still cautioned Connecticut residents of all ages to not let their guards down about the illness. While the state has made strides in flattening the curve, Parry said it’s important for residents to continue wearing masks, maintain social distances, wash hands and take other preventative measures.
“It’s incredibly important that we remain vigilant,” he said.