Before you let these record numbers get to you, we recommend you read our recent post putting this into perspective.
COVID-19 Spreads to Young
Despite the fact that COVID-19 has been considered a disease that strikes the elderly, the highest rate of COVID-19 infection is now among those age 18 to 49., as illustrated in our opening graphic from the Associated Press. About 7 percent of those tested come back positive.
While a younger demographic is now getting sick, fewer are requiring hospitalizations and treatment in an ICU. According to the Associated Press:
“They are sick enough to be hospitalized, but they’re not quite as sick,” said Dr. Rob Phillips, chief physician executive of Houston Methodist Hospital. He said he still finds the trend disturbing because young people “definitely interact with their parents and grandparents,” who could be next.
In one Florida hospital system, nearly half the COVID-19 patients were on ventilators during April compared with less than 3 percent now, said Dr. Sunil Desai, president of the Orlando Health hospital system.
Global Numbers
Cases of COVID-19 continue to rise globally as well, with 168,000 reported in the past 14 hours, bringing the global total to 9.457 million. At this rate, there will be more than one million new cases weekly. Deaths grew by just over 5,000 to 483,247.
