Governor: COVID-19 cases increasing for 21 to 30-year-olds
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo shared statistics yesterday that there has been a four point spike in the rate of positive COVID-19 tests in individuals ages 21-30. (Screenshot from July 23rd Press Briefing)
CHENANGO COUNTY – During a press brief on Thursday with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, he reported that while COVID-19 rates in all other age groups are either plateauing or decreasing, there has been a significant rate increase in individuals ages 21 to 30.
"We're monitoring a second COVID threat, which is the rise in COVID rates among younger people. You look at the age brackets and they’re basically flat or down except for one group, 21 to 30 years old. It has ticked up four points. That is a significant increase in a short period of time and we know why," said Cuomo.
"It's not hard to understand what’s going on, you get groups of young people and it's warm, they've been locked up for a long time, they like to socialize, I get it. But you don't socially distance, you don't wear masks, the virus spreads."
The COVID-19 rate in people ages 21-30 has gone from 9.9 percent to 13.2 percent in the last two weeks. Chenango County has had a total of 194 confirmed cased in the area, with 168 now recovered. Seven deaths related to the outbreak have also been reported.
President and CEO of Commerce Chenango Kerri Green says for Chenango County and neighboring areas one of the biggest issues they're dealing with is enforcement.
"We've seen a spike in numbers and that can be traced back to parties, barbecues, people going on vacation and not quarantining afterwards," said Green. "You get complacent and you think you're okay and safe and this is almost over and people want their freedom back. But people are letting their guard down versus when everything first started."
Green stated that when phase four started and restaurants opened back up, bars found a technicality that allowed them to open as well. This resulted in people letting their guard down while gathering in large groups.
"The biggest issue with that is technically bars were never supposed to open. Restaurants were allowed to open but not bars. It's kind of one of those loophole areas because in New York State with the liquor authority, bars and restaurants have the same liquor license. So bars are required to provide some sort of food, not all of them do, they just need the ability to do it. What was happening is people were congregating without masks, they’re drinking outside, it was causing issues," said Green.
There was some push back from the community when the Governor announced that bars would have to provide food in order to be open. Bars were offering deals such as dollar baskets of "Cuomo Chips" as a way to try to get around the new mandate.
"I don't think it was explained well, I think people are feeling like it was just another way to try to restrict businesses. That really wasn't the purpose, it was a way to keep bars open because they technically weren't supposed to open. I think the thought was if you make it mandatory that you have to serve food people are going to sit, they're going to eat in small groups versus getting up and walking around," said Green.
Chenango County Public Health Director Marcus Flindt has also noticed the spike in younger people, and connects the increase with a feeling of immunity.
"We did see a little bit of a spike here a week after the Fourth of July. I think young people in that age category are less likely to wear face coverings and social distance because initially when this virus came to us there was talk that it effected the older people. I think younger people had a sense then of, well I'm younger if I get it it'll be like a cold or the flu and that group felt it didn't have to worry as much. But now we’re finding, yes they have to worry along with all the other age groups," said Flindt.
"The numbers are showing that younger people are just as susceptible to COVID-19 and are capable of getting just as sick as middle age and older people and we need the young people, and everybody really, to be very diligent," he said.
Flindt reminds the Chenango County community that we are in a very critical time where following guidelines needs to be taken seriously.
"We're in phase four of the opening, so more businesses are open, people are out and about more than they used to be. I think as a whole society we’re kind of at a pivotal point here where we still need to wear the face covering, wash your hands, and don't touch your face," said Flindt.
"We're monitoring a second COVID threat, which is the rise in COVID rates among younger people. You look at the age brackets and they’re basically flat or down except for one group, 21 to 30 years old. It has ticked up four points. That is a significant increase in a short period of time and we know why," said Cuomo.
"It's not hard to understand what’s going on, you get groups of young people and it's warm, they've been locked up for a long time, they like to socialize, I get it. But you don't socially distance, you don't wear masks, the virus spreads."
The COVID-19 rate in people ages 21-30 has gone from 9.9 percent to 13.2 percent in the last two weeks. Chenango County has had a total of 194 confirmed cased in the area, with 168 now recovered. Seven deaths related to the outbreak have also been reported.
President and CEO of Commerce Chenango Kerri Green says for Chenango County and neighboring areas one of the biggest issues they're dealing with is enforcement.
"We've seen a spike in numbers and that can be traced back to parties, barbecues, people going on vacation and not quarantining afterwards," said Green. "You get complacent and you think you're okay and safe and this is almost over and people want their freedom back. But people are letting their guard down versus when everything first started."
Green stated that when phase four started and restaurants opened back up, bars found a technicality that allowed them to open as well. This resulted in people letting their guard down while gathering in large groups.
"The biggest issue with that is technically bars were never supposed to open. Restaurants were allowed to open but not bars. It's kind of one of those loophole areas because in New York State with the liquor authority, bars and restaurants have the same liquor license. So bars are required to provide some sort of food, not all of them do, they just need the ability to do it. What was happening is people were congregating without masks, they’re drinking outside, it was causing issues," said Green.
There was some push back from the community when the Governor announced that bars would have to provide food in order to be open. Bars were offering deals such as dollar baskets of "Cuomo Chips" as a way to try to get around the new mandate.
"I don't think it was explained well, I think people are feeling like it was just another way to try to restrict businesses. That really wasn't the purpose, it was a way to keep bars open because they technically weren't supposed to open. I think the thought was if you make it mandatory that you have to serve food people are going to sit, they're going to eat in small groups versus getting up and walking around," said Green.
Chenango County Public Health Director Marcus Flindt has also noticed the spike in younger people, and connects the increase with a feeling of immunity.
"We did see a little bit of a spike here a week after the Fourth of July. I think young people in that age category are less likely to wear face coverings and social distance because initially when this virus came to us there was talk that it effected the older people. I think younger people had a sense then of, well I'm younger if I get it it'll be like a cold or the flu and that group felt it didn't have to worry as much. But now we’re finding, yes they have to worry along with all the other age groups," said Flindt.
"The numbers are showing that younger people are just as susceptible to COVID-19 and are capable of getting just as sick as middle age and older people and we need the young people, and everybody really, to be very diligent," he said.
Flindt reminds the Chenango County community that we are in a very critical time where following guidelines needs to be taken seriously.
"We're in phase four of the opening, so more businesses are open, people are out and about more than they used to be. I think as a whole society we’re kind of at a pivotal point here where we still need to wear the face covering, wash your hands, and don't touch your face," said Flindt.
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