Young adults have fueled the latest surge in COVID-19 cases on a national level, according to the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Monday blamed the increase in cases on young adults taking part in “youth sports and extracurricular activities,” as well as an increasing spread of more highly transmissible variants from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, according to a White House press release.
The CCP virus, commonly referred to as the novel coronavirus, causes the disease COVID-19 and originated from China early last year, turning into a worldwide pandemic.
“We are learning that many outbreaks in young people are related to youth sports and extracurricular activities,” Walensky said at the Monday briefing.
“This is among 18- to 24-year-olds where we’re actually seeing some peaks in cases,” she added. “Cases are increasing nationally, and we’re seeing this predominantly in younger adults.”
Walensky said that according to guidelines set by the CDC, such activities should be “limited” for the time being, noting that if they are not, risks of clusters can be prevalent—which she added can be prevented with a testing regimen and continuing to do what we know that prevents the spread of the CCP virus.
The director of the federal agency also said that as more schools are starting to reopen for students, and youth participating in sports, it is very important that the public strictly adheres to the guidance.
“I understand that people are tired and that they are ready for this pandemic to be over,” Walensky said. “If we all continue to wear a well-fitting mask, physically distance, and get vaccinated, America can and will get out of this pandemic,” she added.
Most recent data by the CDC shows that deaths from the CCP virus have decreased to an average of about 800 every day—but for four consecutive weeks, the nation has seen COVID-19 cases increase.
The latest daily average of new U.S. cases in the past week is 4,970, Walensky said—up 3 percent from the daily average during the previous seven-day period.
The CDC also highlighted it has updated its guidance on cleaning and disinfecting homes and facilities to reflect data showing the risk of transmitting the CCP virus through surfaces is low.
“In most situations, regular cleaning of surfaces with soap and detergent, not necessarily disinfecting those surfaces, is enough to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread,” Walensky said. “Disinfection is only recommended in indoor settings, schools, and homes where there has been a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 within the last 24 hours.”