CDC highlights COVID-19 transmission among young adults

In its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported early increases in the rate of positive test results for Americans younger than age 25 living in 767 COVID-19 hotspot counties in June and July. These increases were followed by several weeks of rising positivity rates in older age groups. “Addressing transmission among young adults is an urgent public health priority,” the authors said. They noted the data demonstrated an urgent need to ensure health care preparedness in hotspot counties because an increase in positive test results in older age groups “is likely to result in more hospitalizations, severe illnesses, and deaths.” (CDC MMWR article, 10/9/20)