The Impact of Age on COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the U.S.

The current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic shows a stark difference between the number of cases and deaths among older and younger adults. While younger individuals constitute a larger portion of overall cases, it is older adults who remain heavily impacted in terms of fatalities.

A recent summary of cases in the U.S., provided by the CDC, highlights these disparities:

Number of Cases:
0–17: 47,857
18–44: 519,382
45–64: 458,614
65–74: 136,468
75 and above: 1,617,900

Indiana's Case and Death Breakdown

While the CDC provides excellent data on cases, it lags in reporting deaths. For a more accurate picture, especially regarding mortality rates, we can refer to Indiana's data. According to the Indiana COVID-19 Dashboard, the breakdown of cases and deaths is as follows:

Age Group Total Positive Cases Total Known Deaths Total Cases and Deaths Death Rate (per 1000 cases) 0–19 4.5% 0.1% 450 0.22% 20–29 14.2% 0.2% 1420 0.14% 30–39 16.2% 0.7% 1620 4.32% 40–49 17.2% 1.9% 1720 11.06% 50–59 16.7% 5.5% 1670 32.99% 60–69 12.9% 16.1% 1290 12.49% 70–79 8.3% 24.7% 830 29.70% 80 and above 10.1% 50.8% 1010 50.80%

Analysis of Data

The data from Indiana shows that those aged 80 and over represent only 8.3% of all cases, yet they account for 50.8% of all deaths. This is a significant disparity that cannot be explained by poorer quarantine measures among older adults. In fact, they have been at least as well quarantined as people in other age groups. However, once they contract the virus, their fatality rates are starkly higher.

The death rate for those under 30 is approximately one in a thousand, while for those in their 70’s, it is 17 in a thousand. For those 80 and above, the rate is 29 in a thousand. These findings underscore the critical importance of severe safety measures for older individuals to prevent transmission and reduce the risk of death.

Additional Insights

Fatality rates can be further refined using statewide medical surveys. According to a statewide study in Indiana, the total number of individuals who are either currently infected or who have already recovered are about 11 times the number of ‘positive cases’ from the state health department. While the health department's numbers are good indicators of the fates of those ill enough to be tested, the actual death rates are likely much lower by a factor of ten. This discrepancy suggests that many individuals who contract the virus may not show severe symptoms.

The data highlights the need for targeted public health interventions and continued vigilance, especially among older adults, to mitigate the impact of the virus.

For more detailed analyses and insights, refer to the following resources:

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S. by the CDC ‘Playing Russian Roulette’: Nursing Homes Told to Take the Infected by New York Times COVID-19 Study's Preliminary Findings Show Spread of Virus in Indiana