Coronavirus Australia: How the young fuel the pandemic

Victorians aged between 20 and 29 are dominating infection rates, prompting calls to stay at home and follow the rules amid the boredom of the second wave.

A total of 1947 men and women in the 20 to 29 age group in Victoria have been infected during the pandemic, significantly outstripping other cohorts. Picture: Istock

Nearly 2000 young Victorians are the dominant group suffering soaring infection rates that are fuelling the pandemic and killing scores of people.

Those aged between 20 and 29 have dominated infection rates, sparking impassioned calls from government leaders for the young to follow the rules amid the boredom and stress of the second wave.

Analysis of state and federal government data shows that 1947 men and women in the 20 to 29 age group in Victoria have been infected during the pandemic, significantly outstripping other cohorts.

The high numbers of young people in insecure work is posing a great risk to the community when they opt to continue their employment while carrying the virus, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has warned.

These young people make up almost a quarter of all infections recorded since the pandemic began in Victoria but represent only about 15 per cent of the ­population.

Those in their early 30s have recorded a further 786 infections.

The elderly are much less likely to get the virus but when they do, the odds are stacked against them surviving.

Latest Department of Health and Human Services data shows that Victorian women aged 25 to 29 have recorded the most infections — at 515 — of any age group since the pandemic started.

That cohort and the 20 to 24 age group are easily the most impacted by the virus, prompting stern warnings in recent days.

When compared with national results, this was the worst outcome for Victoria.

While young people are less likely to die from the illness and often lack symptoms, Victoria has recorded two victims in recent days aged in their 40s and 50s.

Mr Andrews has used his Facebook page to make a direct plea to young adults to help drive down the numbers by staying at home when they are sick and adhering to lockdown provisions.

“The entire pandemic might feel like miles away from you, and your community, and your friends, and your life,” Mr Andrews said.

“But let’s not ignore the facts before us.”

There are 939 people aged 20 to 24 who have contracted the virus in Victoria.

The government believes insecure work, which forces people to take risks with their health to pay the bills, is driving the record caseload.

Nationally, 20 to 24 year olds make up 6.9 per cent of the population, accounting for 10.3 per cent of coronavirus infections. In Victoria, the same age bracket makes up 7.2 per cent of the population but 11.2 per cent of infections.

 

The 25 to 29 age group has recorded the most infections in Victoria, with 1028 or 12.3 per cent, despite making up about 8 per cent of the population.

At the start of the pandemic, young women were leading infection rates, raising concerns that ­asymptomatic people were spreading the virus around the community.

Mr Andrews says multiple issues are driving the infection rates among the young. “You’ve got to follow the rules. You’ve just got to do it,” he has warned.

Many young people have been impacted by the collapse of the economy during the pandemic, creating added pressure to meet basic costs. This has forced many to push through symptoms of the coronavirus to pay their bills.

Mr Andrews said it was essential to do the right thing by the community. “My message, my request, my plea to all Victorians, particularly those in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, but this does apply to every single Victorian regardless of their workplace: if you are sick, even mildly, you just can’t go to work.

“The only thing you can do is get tested. The only thing you can do is then wait at home, not going to the shops, not going anywhere, until you get your test results, and if you’re negative, then you can go about your business.”