New virus cases are skewing younger

“We’re definitely seeing more cases, both by number and rate, among our younger age group,” said deputy state epidemiologist Dr. Lynn Sosa. “Kids are socializing because that’s what kids do, but they need to realize that they’re not immune to COVID either.”

Since the pandemic began, young adults aged 20 to 29 have accounted for only 12.5% of total cases, or 6,050 out of 48,177.

But in two recent weeks in July — from July 5 to 18 — the same age group accounted for nearly twice the proportion of cases. Of the 914 people diagnosed in that time period, 213 were young adults. That means that more than 23% of new patients were between 20 and 29.

The state reports recent cases by the decade, so teens are included in the 10- to 19-year-old range. That age group has also accounted for a disproportionate number of cases in recent weeks. Throughout the pandemic, 3% of cases were found among older children and young adults. From July 5 to 18, that proportion skyrocketed more than four-fold, to 12.3%.

In total, of all the people diagnosed with coronavirus from July 5 to 18, nearly 40% were under the age of 30.

Sosa said she believes much of the spread among young adults stems from an increasingly lackadaisical approach while socializing. For instance, Sosa said a recent gathering in Darien led to five or six identified case and before that New Canaan saw similarly concerning gatherings.

Sosa said it’s likely there have been many more parties and unsafe gatherings that have spread the virus, even if the state hasn’t identified the exact event.

“It’s basically people doing what they [would] do if there wasn’t COVID-19, and people need to realize that unfortunately we’re not in a place where we would be able to do things we