COVID-19 cases in county’s youngest soar; per million numbers for those 10-19 higher than state average

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Graduation parties and high school sports are being blamed for the soaring number of COVID-19 cases in Livingston County’s youngest residents.

Since Aug. 1, 2020, the Livingston County Health Department’s data shows the number of COVID cases in Livingston County’s youngest residents — those in the 0-19 age range — has rocketed nearly 171 percent since Aug. 1, from 72 cases to 195 cases on Aug. 25.

In addition to that, the older half of that age group — those 10-19 — ranks above the state numbers for cases per million. In fact, Livingston County’s 10-19 year olds also rank above the per-million numbers for neighboring Washtenaw and Genesee counties, but below Oakland County.

Livingston’s increases are seen “specifically in high school-aged individuals,” according to epidemiologist Emma Harman of the Livingston County Health Department.

“This increase in cases in older teenagers is predominately associated with high school sports and graduation parties,” Harman said.

Graduation parties in the South Lyon and Fenton areas led to a joint statement in July from the Livingston, Oakland and Genesee county health departments, warning about the possibility of increasing numbers among older teens.

In the under-20-age group the number spiked from 38 on July 1 to 72 on July 31, an increase of nearly 90 percent. Those numbers increased 171 percent — to 195 cases so far in August.

State numbers break down the 0-19 age group into two: ages 0-9 and 10-19.

Livingston County’s cases per million for ages 10-19 — at 7,053 — is 16 percent higher than the state’s 6,084.

At the present time, Livingston County — at 7,053 cases per million — ranks behind Oakland’s 8,882, but ahead of Genesee County’s 5,163, and Washtenaw County’s 4,773.

“Teenagers tend to have milder cases,” Harman said. “(But) they have the ability to transmit the virus to older family members.”

And those older family members have an increased risk for severe illness and hospitalization from infection with COVID-19.

It is important for community transmission to remain low for schools and businesses to remain open, Harman said: “By practicing risk reduction measures like social distancing, increased hand hygiene and cleaning, and correct mask use, Livingston County can continue to flatten the curve of COVID-19.”


For more information, go to the Livingston County Health Department COVID-19 site and the Michigan COVID-19 site.


 

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Maria Stuart worked at The Livingston County Press/ Livingston County Daily Press & Argus as a reporter, editor and managing editor. These days, she runs The Livingston Post.