ERIE COUNTY COVID-19 DATA SHOWS INCREASE IN CASES IN YOUNGER ADULTS

54% of new cases last week were between 20-39 years old, compared to 30% for all confirmed cases

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH) is reporting a noticeable increase in the percentage of newly confirmed COVID-19 cases among the 20-29 year old and 30-39 year old age groups.

COVID-19 diagnostic tests for Erie County residents have maintained a weekly positivity rate of under 1.5% since early June. Yet within that data, the increasing percentage of younger adults testing positive is concerning to County officials.

“For all confirmed cases, the percentage of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 who in their 20s and 30s is about 30%,” said Commissioner of Health Dr. Gale Burstein. “However, for last week’s data, 54% of new cases – more than half – are seen in those age groups, with nearly one-third of all new cases being in the 20 to 29 age category.” We are also seeing more young adults who are hospitalized.

“Younger adults may be less likely to have severe symptoms, and more likely to go out to crowded locations and large gatherings where one infected person could unknowingly spread COVID-19 to dozens of others,” continued Dr. Burstein. “That’s a dangerous combination.”

“If this trend continues, it could have dire impacts on our positivity rates and hospitalization numbers, and affect our ability to stay in Phase 4 of NY Forward and open schools,” said County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Younger adults are not invincible and could pass on the disease to others who are more at-risk for being hospitalized or even dying from contracting COVID-19. COVID-19 is still in our community, and we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves and each other from this disease.”

Confirmed new COVID-19 cases by age group for the week ending July 11, 2020:

All Erie County residents should:

• Wear a mask when you can’t maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and running water
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects
• Avoid large gatherings
• Avoid travel to states listed in the NYS Joint Travel Advisory; if travel is unavoidable, quarantine for 14 days upon returning to New York
• Stay home if you feel ill
• Consider a diagnostic COVID-19 test. These are available at no cost through ECDOH. Call (716) 858-2929 to schedule, or visit www.erie.gov/covidtestsites for a location near you. ECDOH recommends a diagnostic test for anyone who feels they are at risk for COVID-19, those with a recent travel history to states with a high level of community transmission, close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases, and people who have COVID-19 symptoms.

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Erie County Department of Health COVID-19 Information Line – Schedule a Diagnostic Test: (716) 858-2929

Erie County Department of Health, COVID-19 test sites: www.erie.gov/covidtestsites

Erie County Department of Health, COVID-19 data and map: www.erie.gov/covidmap

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