The spread of the novel coronavirus is increasingly being driven by people in their 20s, 30s and 40s who are unaware that they are infected because they have no or mild symptoms, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.
Because many people in this age group are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms of COVID-19, they are unknowingly passing it on to others, Takeshi Kasai, WHO regional director for the Western Pacific, said on Tuesday.
“This increases the risk of spillovers to the most vulnerable, the elderly, the sick in long-term care, people living in densely populated urban areas and suburban rural areas.”
An analysis of six million cases with detailed information reported to the WHO between 24 February and 12 July showed an increase in the proportion of children and young people infected.
According to the data shared with Al Jazeera, the proportion of affected children from zero to four years grew from 0.3 percent to 2.2 percent, those from five to 14 years grew from 0.8 percent to 4.6 percent, while those of 15 to 24 years grew from 4.5 to 15 percent of the total cases analyzed.
“While we are seeing differences across regions, we are seeing a constant shift towards more young people being reported under COVID-19 cases,” the WHO told Al Jazeera.
“There are a few possible explanations for these trends, including an increase in risky behavior among young people after lockdowns and other public health and social measures were lifted, expanded testing availability, and an increased spread of COVID-19 across communities. , “it added.
Globally, the coronavirus pandemic has infected 21.8 people, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University, while more than 13.8 million have been recovered.
INat least 774,000 people died.
Additional reporting by Saba Aziz: @saba_aziz
SOURCE:
Al Jazeera and news agencies
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