Abstract
Purpose
There has been considerable controversy regarding susceptibility of adolescents (10–19 years) and youth (15–24 years) to COVID-19. However, a number of studies have reported that adolescents are significantly less susceptible than older adults. Summer 2020 provided an opportunity to examine data on prevalence since after months of lockdowns, with the easing of restrictions, people were mingling, leading to surges in cases.
Methods
We examined data from Departments of Health websites in six U.S. states experiencing surges in cases to determine prevalence of COVID-19, and two prevalence-related measures, in adolescents and youth as compared to older adults. The two other measures related to prevalence were: (Percentage of cases observed in a given age group) ÷ (percentage of cases expected based on population demographics); and percentage deviation, or [(% observed—% expected)/ % expected] x 100.
Results
Prevalence of COVID-19 for adolescents and for youth was significantly greater than for older adults (p < .00001), as was percentage observed ÷ percentage expected (p < .005). The percentage deviation was significantly greater in adolescents/youth than in older adults (p < 0.00001) when there was an excess of observed cases over what was expected, and significantly less when observed cases were fewer than expected (p< 0.00001).
Conclusions
Our results are contrary to previous findings that adolescents are less susceptible than older adults. Possible reasons for the findings are suggested, and we note that public health messaging targeting adolescents and youth might be helpful in curbing the pandemic. Also, the findings of the potential for high transmission among adolescents and youth, should be factored into decisions regarding school reopening.
Publication Date
3-2021
DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0242587
S1_Appendix_Page1
page 2.pdf (755 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page2
page 3.pdf (686 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page3
page 4.pdf (343 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page4
page 5.pdf (128 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page5
page 6.pdf (778 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page6
page 7.pdf (663 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page7
page 8.pdf (163 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page8
page 9.pdf (281 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page9
page 10.pdf (370 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page10
page 11.pdf (194 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page11
page 12.pdf (1405 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page12
page 13.pdf (829 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page13
page 14.pdf (540 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page14
page 15.pdf (341 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page15
page 16.pdf (399 kB)
S1_Appendix_Page16
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
PLOS ONE
Recommended Citation
Rumain B., Schneiderman M., Geliebter A. (2021). Prevalence of COVID-19 in adolescents and youth compared with older adults in states experiencing surges. PLOS ONE 16(3): e0242587. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0242587
Comments
Originally published in PLOS ONE. See here.