GOSHEN – Elkhart County Health Officer Dr. Lydia Mertz released coronavirus statistics Friday, June 5, that show younger people are testing positive more than older people.

There have been 205 new cases this week through Thursday, with another 90 added Friday, for 295 cases in one week.

There have been no deaths since May 23.

Mertz said health officials have noticed that 13.7% of all new cases have been in the 0-19 age group, significantly higher than a month ago. The county has also seen almost 20% of all new cases in the 20-29 age group, 17% in the 30-39 age group, and 18% in the 40-49 age group.

“That means 69% of our new cases are in people less than 50 years old,” she writes.

Women are slightly outpacing men in testing positive.

“The demographic information is incomplete, so it is difficult to have accurate numbers, but we know we see a sharp increase among the county’s Hispanic and Latino populations,” she writes.

Mertz added that data from the Regenstrief Institute in Indianapolis show more elderly are hospitalized, are critically ill, and more likely to die — especially after age 60.

“The numbers continue to show rising cases again this week,” she writes. “We ask younger people to be careful when around your parents, older aunts and uncles and grandparents. You are more likely to unknowingly spread the virus to someone more susceptible to serious consequences.”

She urges people to continue washing their hands, distance themselves, wear a mask, and stay home if they are sick.

SOURCE: HSPA Info Net