Increasing numbers of South Carolinians between age 21 and 30 are testing positive for COVID-19. This is according to DHEC (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control) per a press release of June 19, 2020. However, having more young adults positive in South Carolina will not have an immediate impact. That’s because most will only experience a mild illness according to the press release.
Why are More Young Adults Positive in South Carolina?
At the time of writing, 4,140 of a total 22,608 cases in South Carolina were young adults. Moreover, if we add the 7% affected teens, young people now represent 25.4% of all infections. This tells us younger South Carolinians are not taking social distancing seriously says a DHEC physician-consultant. This may well be why we have more young adults testing positive in South Carolina.
We find these numbers concerning. Because since April 4, 2020 the known infection rate for 21 to 30-year-olds jumped 413.9% according to DHEC. The agency reports an even steeper rate of 966.1% in new cases among 11 to 20 year olds. Furthermore, we understand this may be part of a growing national trend.
Are Older Family Members at Greater Risk Then?
The DHEC physician-consultant warns mild symptoms do not prevent young people spreading serious disease to older people. You can spread the illness to friends, teammates and family members and they could die, he says.
He appeals to young people to set a wise example with social distancing and wearing face coverings. The biggest risks we face as nations are ignorance and denying the disease will infect us. We are all part of the same tribe, and we bear a collective responsibility to face the challenge together.
More young adults testing positive in South Carolina affects us all. We appeal to young people to discuss this with their friends. We need to get to new normal sooner, and return to achieving our hopes and dreams.
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Preview Image: South Carolina COVID-19 Trends
