More than a quarter of all new COVID-19 cases diagnosed in Lake and DuPage counties so far this month are residents under the age of 20.
In the counties of Cook, Kane, McHenry and Will, people under the age of 20 account for more than 20% of new cases.
This is according to a Daily Herald analysis of the COVID-19 infection data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, which shows that children and teens make up a larger share of the number of new cases in the suburbs than ever before.
The actual number of COVID-19 infections in suburban children and teens is declining every month, but it is not happening as fast as in other age groups. Statewide, COVID-19 cases in people under 20 averaged 344 per day in March, compared to 1,166 per day in December.
Health experts believe there are various reasons for relocating those who are infected these days.
“Many adults are vaccinated, which helps with the rates in adults,” said Dr. Sana Ahmed, an epidemiologist from the Lake County Department of Health, said. “We are seeing an increase in those under the age of 20 taking part in extracurricular activities, as well as out-of-school social gatherings. increase. ‘
@DHJakeGriffin checked the latest # COVID-19 cases in the suburbs and found that youths (people under 20) make up a larger proportion of them. https://t.co/SS05k2jwir pic.twitter.com/zgsdF29MHA
– Daily Herald (@dailyherald) 20 March 2021
As of Thursday, 27.4% of all New Lake County cases had been diagnosed in March at less than 20 years of age. In December, only 17.5% of new cases were in the age group.
IDPH figures show that 25.2% of all new cases of COVID-19 in DuPage County this month are in the youngest age group. The percentage rose steadily each month from 16.4% in December.
“The DuPage County Department of Health has been closely monitoring the positivity rate in DuPage County and we have noticed a recent increase in COVID-19 case activity in our (younger) population,” said Karen Ayala, director of the agency. “We do not believe there is a single factor that leads to this increase. The increase may be related to more elements in our communities opening up and people who were not as vigilant as before, keeping an eye on their distance, a mask to wear and to avoid crowded places. “
In suburban Cook County, 21.3% of new cases this month were in those under 20 years of age. The rate is 23.5% in Kane County and 21.6% in McHenry County. All three had higher patients among children and adolescents in March than in the previous three months.
The Will County rate is 20%. Although slightly lower than the February rate of 20.5%, it is still five percentage points higher than the December rate for that age group.
4.9% of all COVID-19 tests given to youths in Will County in the past week resulted in a new case being diagnosed. No other age group in the country has a fall positivity rate of more than 3%.
Cases among older residents declined as vaccination increased. Although the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has been approved for people aged 16 and over and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been approved for those aged 18 and over, suburban vaccine admissions have not been extended to most teenagers. .
Worldwide, the seven-day positivity rate for those under 20 was at 3.2% as of Thursday. No other age group in the IDPH data is higher than 3%. In October, those under 20 in Illinois had a better positivity rate than any other age group, except those between the ages of 20 and 29 and someone 80 or older.
“Cases in Lake County are flat,” Ahmed said. “However, children are becoming more active and there are more opportunities to socialize.”
Case positivity shows the percentage of new cases diagnosed in a series of test results. An average of seven days is used to offset any discrepancies in the daily reporting of cases and tests.
Although the effects of COVID-19 in younger people were usually not serious, health experts are concerned that asymptomatic young people may still unknowingly spread the virus to others who are more vulnerable.
“There are always concerns, but we do our best to get vaccinated adults who are the most vulnerable,” Ahmed said. “We succeed in vaccinating people in high-risk groups, such as those living or working in long-term care institutions and our 65-year-old population.”