New NJ Coronavirus Concerns: Young People And Schools
NEW JERSEY — New Jersey has new concerns about the coronavirus, and they involve the trend lines they're seeing in a group that was never expected to be threatened by the pandemic: young people.
And the rising numbers of infections involving young people could ultimately have an impact on what happens this fall, when schools are supposed to reopen.
Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli directly addressed younger people during a recent news conference when she said "this is not the time to let our guard down."
Those between 18 and 29 have been the subject of scrutiny as videos have emerged of crowded beaches and bars at the Jersey Shore and elsewhere, with little to no social distancing taking place. Read more: What Virus? Videos Show Crowded Donovan's Reef, D'Jais
Persichilli was especially troubled by the seven people in Westfield who tested positive last week, five of whom were in the 17-19 age range and three of those were "associated with a party." Read more: Westfield Teens Have Coronavirus 'Associated With A Party:' Mayor
"I want to especially emphasize to our young people that they are not invincible or immune to COVID-19," she said.
It's these kinds of concerns that have prompted New Jersey teachers to develop what may be considered a strict set of possible ground rules for getting kids back to school in the fall. Read more: NJ Teachers Develop Possible Coronavirus Back-To-School Rules
Indeed, a growing number of school officials, parents and districts have expressed concerns about going back to school. At least one district has pushed back its start date because of the amount of time it will take to prepare. Read more: Moorestown Set To Push Back 1st Day Of School Due To Coronavirus
Gov. Phil Murphy said he expects schools to reopen in the fall but that they will do so only if it can be done safely. He said the state will not be "beaten or bludgeoned" into reopening.
Murphy may address the issue during his 1 p.m. news conference Wednesday. Read more: WATCH LIVE: Gov. Phil Murphy Issues NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Update
"We're going to do this. We're going to do it right, responsibly, and only if we can be convinced that we can protect all lives here, the kids, the teachers, the administrators, the parents and grandparents to whom these kids will go home to," Murphy said during his Monday news conference. "And we're trying to solve things still."
Persichilli said young adults in New Jersey are the fastest growing group of individuals who are testing positive for the virus, and they've been behind many of the spikes in cases across the country.
The Murphy administration also believes the increasing numbers of young people getting the virus has caused New Jersey's overall numbers to fluctuate. After months of declines, New Jersey has shown some spikes in its rate of transmission recently. Read more: NJ Coronavirus, Reopen Updates: Here's What You Need To Know
Persichilli identified some other troubling signs:
Those between the ages of 18 to 29 represented 12 percent of the cases in April. That rose dramatically to 22 percent of the cases in June.
There have been nearly 24,000 COVID-19 cases involving people between the ages of 18 and 29, and more than 730 have been hospitalized because complications.
There have been 53 deaths among this age group.
Persichilli said people at any age can get severe illnesses from the coronavirus and "we need all residents to continue to take precautions and not to just protect themselves but to protect all of us."
Persichilli emphasized how everyone must practice social distancing, wear a mask, get tested and wash their hands.
"These are life-saving measures," she said. "We all have a responsibility to our families, our loved ones and our community to keep up these efforts to protect our health and theirs.
"It is vital that young people understand that they are part of the solution to the slowing of the transmission of COVID-19."
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This article originally appeared on the Mendham-Chester Patch
