Coronavirus hitting younger people more than originally thought. Here’s what to know
At the start of the spread of coronavirus, many thought younger people would only have mild symptoms. Now, health officials are saying that may not be the case.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported last week that nearly 40% of hospitalized coronavirus patients are ages 20 to 54.
“Among 508 patients known to have been hospitalized, 9% were aged ≥85 years, 36% were aged 65–84 years, 17% were aged 55–64 years, 18% were 45–54 years, and 20% were aged 20–44 years,” the CDC said. “Less than 1% of hospitalizations were among persons aged ≤19 years.”
The most severe cases and the highest rates of death are among the elderly, Stat News reported. But data show 2-4% of cases that required treatment in an intensive care unit are younger people, according to the news outlet.
A 25-year-old in New Jersey is in a medically induced coma after getting COVID-19, according to PIX11.
“This happens to really healthy young people,” his mother told PIX11. “He doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t have pre-existing conditions, he was a two-time, All American lacrosse player at Bates College. I don’t think he’s missed a day of work in a year.”
In Atlanta, a 12-year-old girl is on a ventilator after testing positive for coronavirus, McClatchy News reported.
A 7-month-old baby also tested positive for coronavirus in South Carolina, according to WACH.
She was diagnosed with pneumonia on March 15 before testing positive for COVID-19 on Friday, according to McClatchy News. Her family said she has no pre-existing conditions.
In other countries, young people have been affected by coronavirus as well, according to BuzzFeed News.
“In Spain, about 18% of hospitalized patients are under 50, according to the latest data,” the news outlet reported. “And in South Korea, more than half of confirmed cases are under 50, with the ages 20–29 being the largest age group.”
This story was originally published March 26, 2020 at 7:26 PM with the headline "Coronavirus hitting younger people more than originally thought. Here’s what to know."