New data from the CDC taken from 2,400 confirmed cases of COVID-19 victims says one out of every five young adults between the ages of 20 and 44 could be hospitalized due to COVID-19.
That level is much higher than normal influenza.
The data adds further depth to the seriousness of the disease, showing younger Americans are at substantial risk of contracting serious medical issues from coronavirus. Though the fatality rate is low, roughly 0.1 to 0.2 percent, it’s two times higher than a bad flu season.
An older population is in far more danger with fatality rates running high. The mortality rate is far lower for the younger populous.
“There are concerning reports coming out of France and Italy about some young people getting seriously ill and very seriously ill in the ICUs,” said Deborah Birx, one of many experts on the coronavirus task force at a White House briefing. She did not offer further details.
Up to 3.4 percent of those who contract COVID-19 could become fatalities, per CDC. Individuals with hypertension, cardiac disease, kidney disease or diabetes have been shown to have a much higher risk at becoming members of that fatality number.
CDC warns that the 49 million Americans who are over the age of 65 should maintain a month-long supply of necessary medications and stay home as much as possible. On Wednesday, Jeffery Shaman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University, projected 5 to 10 undetected cases for every confirmed case.
