Young adults continue to drive COVID-19 case counts across the country, including the Inland Northwest.

“We continue to see our cases disproportionately in the college-age demographic,” Spokane County Health Officer Dr. Bob Lutz said Monday.

The Spokane Regional Health District confirmed 135 COVID-19 cases over the weekend and 57 more on Monday, for a countywide total of 6,989 cases. About 75% of confirmed cases are considered to be recovered by the health district.

Gonzaga and Whitworth are reporting fewer than 40 active cases. College students are only a part of the picture when it comes to young adults in their 20s testing positive for the virus.

A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlights preliminary evidence that shows how young adults can contribute to community transmission of the virus, passing it along to older and more vulnerable adults. The report notes that young adults make up a large proportion of frontline and essential workers, including those working in “highly exposed industries,” like restaurants.

Secondly, young adults might be less likely to follow mask requirements, limits on gatherings and other precautions, the report says.

“Increased prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among younger adults likely contributes to community transmission of COVID-19, including to persons at higher risk for severe illness, such as older adults,” the report says.

Young adults in their 20s account for 25% of COVID cases in Spokane County, despite making up 15% of the population.

Lutz said local health officials have also noted an increase in the number of teenagers testing positive for the virus.

The health district has broken down case data into smaller age categories to help evaluate the risk of sending some students back to classrooms. While younger children are barely transmitting the virus, Lutz said teenagers have a higher and increasing incidence rate.

Hospitalizations on rise

There are 39 COVID patients in Spokane hospitals, including 32 county residents. The Idaho Panhandle also has seen an increase in people needing hospitalization for the virus. There are currently 24 Panhandle residents hospitalized, including 22 at Kootenai Health.

The Panhandle Health District confirmed 61 new cases on Monday, continuing an uptick in cases reported in recent weeks.

Two more Spokane County residents died from the virus over the weekend, bringing the county total to 167 deaths due to COVID-19. The majority of residents who have died in the county are over the age of 70.

Lutz said he hopes COVID activity will plateau and flatten out, but it appears to be on the rise for now.