Coronavirus updates: Youth cases growing faster than elderly cases in Sedgwick County
Sedgwick County reached 1,000 COVID-19 cases among people younger than 20 on Saturday.
Cases have grown faster in the 0-19 age group than in groups for 60 and older since July 22, when The Eagle started taking daily screenshots of the Sedgwick County dashboard statistics.
The younger population is sure to see an increase in cases as Wichita students return to school this week. Fall sports in Wichita also restarted this week after the Wichita school board reversed course, allowing for sports to continue with limited fans in attendance.
Here’s a breakdown of case growth by age group from July 22 to Saturday:
0-19: From 397 to 1,000 cases, a roughly 151% increase
20-39: From 1,215 to 3,113 cases, a roughly 156% increase
40-59: From 802 to 2,085 cases, a roughly 159% increase
60-79: From 372 to 844 cases, a roughly 126% increase
80-plus: From 132 to 243 cases, a roughly 84% increase
The Sedgwick County Health Department reported an increase of 64 cases on Saturday, bringing the total to 7,286 cases.
Twenty-three of the new cases, or slightly more than a third, were reported in the 20-39 age group. Another 22 cases were reported in the 40-59 age group.
Deaths held at 55. At least 37 of the deaths have been attributed to clusters at long-term care facilities.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports figures on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The latest report showed 45,220 cases and 481 deaths.
Sedgwick County mobile testing
The Sedgwick County Health Department Mobile Outreach Response Team will offer testing from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday at the Bethany United Methodist Church, 1601 S. Main in Wichita, and Wednesday in the parking lot of the former Atwoods store at 6235 N. Broadway in Park City. The testing is free for people with symptoms or in close contact with people infected, as well as high risk professions: health care, first responders, people with in-person classes, bus drivers and public works jobs.