
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, The US COVID-19 incidence continues to increase, since early June, coinciding with states’ efforts to relax social distancing and resume normal activities, but US COVID-19 deaths have steadily decreased since mid-April. One potential explanation for these differing trends is a shift in age distribution of COVID-19 patients toward younger age groups. Several states that are currently reporting surges in COVID-19 incidence—including Arizona, California, Florida, Texas, and Washington—have exhibited an increasing proportion of cases among younger adults (eg, in their 20s and 30s). A number of factors are likely contributing to this trend. One possible driver is increased social interaction following the relaxation of social distancing restrictions, which has been observed among younger individuals who are at lower risk of severe disease and death.