Allegheny County health officials warn of coronavirus spread in younger people

Allegheny County officials said there has been a community spread of covid-19 among young people, which could be detrimental to those most vulnerable to the virus.

The county on Wednesday reported 45 new covid-19 cases, matching the number of new cases reported on Monday. The 45 cases reported Monday and Wednesday were the highest daily totals reported in nearly two months.

Officials continue to attribute the spread to out-of-state traveling and people lowering their guard after the state eased lockdown restrictions. They once again asked people to remain vigilant, wear masks and social distance, and follow other recommended guidelines set by health officials.

Health Department Director Debra Bogen said nearly two-thirds of Wednesday’s cases were in people ages 19 to 49.

She said some contracted the virus from a family member, but most don’t know where they got it.

Several reported that they had recently traveled out of state. The health department hasn’t identified large clusters from any particular events or restaurants. There have been smaller clusters identified, but those are mostly in families.

Bogen said the spread is likely coming from people who don’t know they’re infected. About 40% of people who contract the virus don’t show any symptoms, she said.

“I’m asking everyone to consider how their actions impact others when they make choices,” Bogen said.

The death rate for the coronavirus is much higher than that of the flu.

According to Bogen, about 100 people died from the flu in Pennsylvania last year compared to more than 6,000 people who have died from the coronavirus in the last few months.

Bogen added that more than 120,000 people in the U.S. have died, which is more than the number of people who died serving in the Vietnam and Korea wars combined.

Though younger people are generally less susceptible to the virus, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said they have the ability to spread the virus to others.

“One out of five of our residents in Allegheny County are over the age of 65,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re all in this together — we just can’t isolate the 20-year-olds from the 60-year-olds.”

The county also reported five new deaths Wednesday, bringing the total number of deaths to 184.

Bogen said those who died were between the ages of 71 and 96. All were residents of long-term care facilities. They died between June 14 and June 22.

The number of hospitalizations also rose by two, bringing the total number to 372.

Bogen said the county is prepared if the number of new covid-19 cases continues to increase.

The health department has hired more case investigators and contact tracers and will add more if necessary. There are currently 10 case investigators and 15 contact tracers, Bogen said. Contact tracing is being done in every case.

From June 4 to June 17, the latest data available, case investigators opened 160 new cases. As of Wednesday, the contact tracing team had reached out to 150 people or households identified as close contact in those cases. Tracers have been able to reach roughly 90% of those people and advise them to quarantine, Bogen said.

Bogen emphasized that, behind the statistics, the pandemic is about individual human lives.

Numbers are important, she said, but they don’t accurately reflect people who are worried about their loved ones in hospitals and nursing homes, those who have lost loved ones, and those dealing with job loss and financial insecurity.

“Each new death hurts. Each new hospitalization worries me. And each new case is a concern,” Bogen said. “We’ve focused on numbers a lot, but really it’s the people who really matter in this.”