The demographic age of 20-29 represents the largest percentage of new COVID-19 cases locally, reflecting a national trend, at 22 percent as one in five infections, according to the province’s most recent data.
Those aged 0 to 19 represent the second-highest positive age group locally at 21.5 percent, which is significantly higher than the national rate of 9 percent. The positivity figures of both groups have increased since the province started reporting such data in public two months ago, which was initially shown in the age groups 30 to 39 and 60 to 69 with the highest rates.
Younger people who may be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms add to the increase in known COVID-19 cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Tuesday, the World Health Organization warned that young people are becoming the primary drivers of the spread of virus in many countries.
This transmission ultimately contributes to increased exposures to elderly individuals at higher risk for serious illness and death, said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich.
“While we are currently seeing higher numbers in those at the younger end, we know that the nature of this virus is to move more widely across a community and affect other populations that may be more vulnerable due to age and other prevalent conditions,” “she said.
“There is more transmission potential as more people travel in and out of the province and gather with those outside their household unit.”
Symptoms of COVID-19 may include fever such as chills, cough, shortness of breath or problems with breathing, fatigue, headache, muscle aches, nausea, vomiting and chest pain. About one in 20 local people who have tested positive for the virus report no symptoms at all, according to the most recent data, which Drs. Frankovich said it can be difficult to tell when someone has COVID.
“The virus depends on people, especially people coming together, to spread it,” she said. “The best defense short of full shelter on site at home is to limit movement outside your home as much as possible. And if you’re in the community, what we’ve been saying is true – wear your face mask in public, and even outside when distance is not possible, maintain physical distance and avoid meetings. If we all do our due diligence to take this seriously, we can reduce the spread of COVID in Humboldt. ”
Check for the latest COVID-19 information at cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting [email protected] or calling 707-441-5000.
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/dashboard, Follow us on Facebook: @ HumCoCOVID19, Instagram: @ HumCoCOVID19, Twitter: @ HumCoCOVID19, and Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
