BALTIMORE — New research from the CDC found a big increase in COVID-19 cases among young adults in September.
The new data did not come as a surprise to doctors and now the University of Maryland Medical System is working to raise awareness that no age group is immune.
"This virus is not discriminating," said University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake doctor Vinisha Amin.
Young and old, she has seen COVID-19 hospitalize patients.
"It is important for people from all age brackets to know no one is immune to this," said Amin.
New CDC research shows that coronavirus infections among people aged 18 to 22 jumped up 55 percent from August to September. In the northeast, it was a 144 percent increase. That’s not solely attributable to increased testing.
"Testing increased by 1.5 fold in that data but the number of cases that were tested positive increased by 2.5 fold so there’s still that difference," said Amin.
The CDC concluded some of the increase was likely due to colleges resuming in-person classes, and that’s the target audience of a new PSA from the University of Maryland Medical System.
"Contract COVID-19 at a party or a bar, well that’s a serious party foul," the PSA said.
They’re hoping to get young people to think twice before engaging in risky behavior.
"Don’t forget to wear a mask and practice social distancing even when you’re trying to be social," said the PSA.
That’s Dr. Amin’s message too.
"’Im not saying to stop your college experience or to stop your lives. All we are saying as medical professionals is that we know that this virus is spreading and even though you might not be affected and you might be very minimally symptomatic, the big thing to keep in mind is that you can be asymptomatic and carry this virus and transmit this virus to your more vulnerable loved family members and you don’t want that burden," said Amin.
Dr. Amin says it’s important to hold each other accountable or wearing masks, washing hands and continuing to social distance.
