New data reveal that younger adults in some states are becoming increasingly infected with COVID-19 – a trend that appears to be different from when infections largely targeted the eldely or those whose immune systems were compromised.
Los Angeles County Sees More Infections in Younger Adults
According to local health officials, the county's younger adults have become the hardest hit group among all communities. They are also driving transmissions in the area.
During a news briefing on Wednesday, health officials revealed that almost 60 percent of the county's new confirmed coronavirus cases are among people aged between 18 and 49.
During the onset of COVID-19, health authorities said the virus appeared to be infecting mostly older people and those with existing health conditions or considered "comorbid" (having more than one disorder.)
The new trend in Los Angeles County suggests that the novel coronavirus is also starting to beat down communities or groups of people who are healthy enough to attend parties or gather in large crowds.
Republican Congressman Tests Positive
U.S. Representative Rodney Davis, an Illinois Republican, revealed on Wednesday that he has contracted COVID-19. He had a fever on Wednesday morning and took a test, later confirming his positive test results.
The 50-year-old congressman urged the public to practice proper social distancing and to "do our part" in the country's fight against the virus. "That's what it will take to get through this pandemic," he said.
Davis is the 15th American lawmaker who has been infected with the novel coronavirus.
Birx Raises Alarms about Spiking Cases in Several Cities
New cities have been added to the red alert list of the U.S. government's task force against COVID-19 as its head coordinator, Dr. Deborah Birx, said the team is concerned about spiking cases in some areas.
Birx noted that there is increasing concern about the increasing number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Kansas City, Atlanta, Omaha, Baltimore, Washington DC, Boston, Portland, Detroit, Chicago and the Central Valley of California.
On the other hand, Birx revealed that there was some progress being made in Southern cities, raising hopes for turnarounds in previously hard-hit American cities.
California Test Data Problems Unraveled
A new report revealed that there have been some problems with the electronic collection of COVID-19 test data in California, impacting the state's response to the crisis.
To make matters worse, some health officials have reportedly started counting test results by hand, raising concerns about the reliability of state infection rate data being released by the California government.
Talks about the issue heightened on Tuesday, when the state acknowledged that Gov. Gavin Newson unintentionally announced on Monday that there was a sharp decline in California's seven-day average of new coronavirus infections.
Analysts argued that without proper and accurate collection of COVID-19 test result data, the public may be misled by official announcements and information being released regarding California's coronavirus situation.
California remains the hardest-hit state in the U.S., with over 500,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 10,000 deaths.
As of Wednesday, the United States has logged a total of 4,973,741 confirmed coronavirus cases and 161,607 lives lost to the fast-spreading disease.
