More young people throughout the South are reportedly testing positive for the coronavirus, as states reopen bars, restaurants and other popular locales with lessening social distancing requirements.
During the last two weeks, Alabama had the second-highest number of new cases per capita in the nation. South Carolina was fourth. Louisiana and Mississippi were also in the top 10.
“We are extremely concerned about these numbers. We know if they continue, we will see more hospitalizations and more deaths,” Alabama State Health Officer Scott Harris said.
As of Monday morning, Alabama had more than 30,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19, with more than a quarter of the cases reported in the last two weeks.
In Florida, where health experts are predicting will be the virus’ next epicenter, Gov. Ron DeSantis said the median age was 37 for newly diagnosed coronavirus cases during the last week. In the state, 62% of new cases for the week of June 7 were under 45 years old, he said.
On Saturday, Florida reported 4,049 new cases, the most reported in a single day for the state.
DeSantis said cases are “shifting in a radical direction” toward younger populations. “We’re also seeing that not only are they testing positive because they’re testing more, they’re also testing positive at a higher rate increasingly over the last week,” DeSantis said.
From the beginning of the pandemic through May 30, the median age of positive coronavirus cases was 48, according to the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
On Thursday, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas Dobbs announced 381 new cases and five additional deaths, with quite a few cases, according to CNN, linked to fraternity rush parties.
On Sunday, North Carolina reported 1,412 new COVID-19 coronavirus cases and eight additional deaths, with statewide totals rising to 52,801 cases and 1,220 deaths.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said last week that people under 30 made up most of the new coronavirus cases in several counties, according to CNN. Abbott attributed the increase to Memorial Day parties and visits to bars.
So far, the U.S. has recorded more than 2.27 million cases and at least 119,921 deaths, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
In South Carolina, health officials said Friday people under age 30 were increasingly testing positive for the virus.
The Arkansas Department of Health has reported an increase of more than 400 confirmed coronavirus cases and one additional death due to COVID-19.
The department late Sunday reported at least 15,561 cases and 225 deaths, an increase of 419 from the 15,142 cases and the 224 deaths reported Saturday. The department said 10,456 have recovered from the virus and that 4,880 cases remain active.
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