It appears that a great “beach week” came together in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where at least 150 young people from Virginia’s Loudoun County contracted COVID-19.
It appears that a great “beach week” came together in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where at least 150 young people from Virginia’s Loudoun County contracted COVID-19.
In the past week, the Loudoun County Health Department has seen a significant increase in positive tests for coronavirus among people ages 10-19 and 20-29.
A county press release released Monday said last week alone, 150 people ages 16 to 18 tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, and more than half of the county’s positive cases in that time period came from of those 29 years or younger.
Dr. David Goodfriend, county health director, said youth who call northern Virginia county home have probably spent more time in large groups.
He said, “Many teens and young adults are increasingly participating in activities that involve larger gatherings of people, such as beach week and other celebrations, which has increased their exposure to others outside of their families.”
WTOP news partner NBC Washington said Goodfriend is referring to a Loudoun County Beach Week event in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, that was responsible for about 100 of the positive cases.
Goodfriend said that by talking to the infected and their doctors, the health department determined that hundreds of students had traveled together.
Loudoun County has seen a huge increase in youth recruiting COVID-19. Over the past week, more than half of his 383 positive cases are under the age of 30. The Loudoun Co. Health Department says many young people recently became infected after a trip to Myrtle Beach. (@ wusa9) pic.twitter.com/obEhGCvzSP
– John Henry (@JohnHenryWUSA) June 29, 2020
“And there may still be more out there,” he told NBC4.
The county’s message to its residents remains familiar: Young people may feel “invincible,” Goodfriend said, but the risk is when they mingle in the broader community, pick up the virus and bring it home, where they could expose the most. vulnerable and elderly. family members
The county reminded its residents that major events, such as those taking place over the July 4 weekend or during summer beach trips, pose a greater risk to residents than staying home and mixing with groups. smallest of people.
Goodfriend asked healthy teens and young people to remain vigilant and continue to do everything possible to prevent the spread of the virus in the community.
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