Young People and The Coronavirus in Europe

When the coronavirus pandemic spread across the world, it was quickly understood that those at the highest risk were either suffering from an underlying health condition or simply, over a certain age. Although young people were not immune to the virus, it is arguable that early reports and figures showing older people were at a higher risk of serious complications, triggered a sense of immunity among some young people. Months into the pandemic, whilst many countries are emerging out of nationwide lockdowns and the development of a vaccine is underway, the virus is still a major threat. Recently, The World Health Organisation (WHO) commented on how the coronavirus is currently being spread.

In a larger discussion regarding the roll out of the forthcoming vaccination, urging countries avoid vaccine nationalism, to share vaccines and overcome the pandemic in a united global front; the health agency also voiced concerns that the pandemic’s spread was now driven by the younger age groups. Young people who are unaware that they are infected, carry and spread the virus and place more vulnerable groups at risk. The report comes from Reuters who quoted the WHO’s Western Pacific regional director, Takeshi Kasai, who stated: “The epidemic is changing, People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are increasingly driving the spread.”

The information that younger people are now central to the spread of the current spread of coronavirus comes after a higher proportion of new infections are now being seen amongst younger groups of people. In the last few months, much of Europe has emerged from nationwide lockdowns and attempting to slowly re-open economies. However, many countries across Europe, including the UK are seeing localised outbreaks, leading to local lockdowns in towns and cities. Speaking to BBC Radio 4, Dr Hans Kluge, called this a ‘consequence of a change in human behaviour.’

According to Dr Hans Kluge, WHO regional director for Europe, “Young people are at the forefront of the Covid-19 response and they have a very powerful message to convey through their behaviour and their communication, low risk does not mean no risk, no one is invincible and if you do not die from Covid it may stick to your body like a tornado with a long tail. While young people are less likely to die than older people they can still be very seriously affected, this virus affects organs throughout the body,” the Independent reported.

However, according to Sky News, the information regarding infection rates among different age groups across the whole of Europe is patchy. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, collates this information but not all European countries produce these figures. Austria, Denmark, Slovakia, Spain, Latvia and Estonia show rising rates amongst young people, whilst Luxembourg and Croatia are showing clear spikes amongst the Youth. However, this is not a one size fits all, as some other countries are not necessarily displaying the same trend.

In the UK, the Independent recently reported: ‘In England, the most recent data from Public Health England shows that the 15-44 age group currently has the highest rate of infection of any other group – excluding those over 85. A recent pre-print study from Imperial College London also found that of some 120,000 swabs taken from people in England in May, the highest levels of infection were recorded among those aged 18-24.’

If young people are indeed driving the current movement of the coronavirus, not only would it affect the older and more vulnerable groups, if a second wave of the pandemic does hit, some experts have warned that it could target younger generations. Experts and governments alike are worried that a second wave of the pandemic could be imminent, in the case of the Spanish Flu, the second wave, emerging in the late year of 1918, hit the younger generation severely.

Professor Kirby stated: “What we saw in 1918 was the virus change, you know, the second wave was different from the first wave and it affected a different group of people, predominantly younger people.” Whilst populations across the globe are trying to return to a semblance of normal life, and the younger generation can not be blamed for doing just that. However, these concerns have experts urging young people to be extra vigilant, they are by no means immune to developing severe or fatal coronavirus cases and like everyone else, they should strictly follow social distancing guidelines and be wary of larger gatherings or events where the virus may be more easily spread.