FAU study: Florida's young COVID infection rate among nation's highest

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A new study from a professor at Florida Atlantic University found Florida's infection rate for residents 25 and younger are among the worst in the nation.

Dr. Patrick Bernet, Associate Professor of Health Administration, studied COVID infection rates by age and found Florida had one of the highest rates of infection for younger residents in 2020 -- elevating the risk for all age groups.

"Infections don't stay in age cohorts," Dr. Bernet said.

His research, published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, found that older counties had lower infection rates than younger counties -- and that younger counties had larger outbreaks that spread to older age groups, elevating the risk to seniors.

"What happens at younger ages doesn't stay there," he said. "It travels through."

Bernet said his study provides one more reason for younger people to take the virus seriously, practice social distancing and mask-wearing, and get the COVID vaccine.

Convincing younger adults to get vaccinated is the new focus for health officials, now that a majority of senior citizens have received their shot.

Palm Beach Mayor Dave Kerner began his regular COVID-19 briefing this week by reminding young adults that they are not invincible.

"People 49 and younger that contract COVID-19 can die," he said, pointing out a number of Palm Beach Sheriff's Deputies under the age of 50 have died from COVID this year. ...