#De Blasio flags rising coronavirus rate for ages 20-29 as ‘worrisome’

The rate of coronavirus cases for 20-somethings in New York City is increasing at a troubling rate, Mayor Bill de Blasio revealed Monday.

“Even though we’ve overall seen a huge reduction in the presence of the coronavirus in this city, we do see one trend that’s worrisome for young adults,” de Blasio said at a City Hall press briefing.

“We see the infection rate rising. Particularly what were concerned about, it’s 20-year-olds to 29-year-olds,” he said.

“We see 30 to 39-year-olds some increase as well but particularly amongst this younger group– 20 years old to 29– we see a problem and we need to address it,” he said.

In mid-June, 20- to 29-year-olds had a rate of close to 20 cases per 100,000 people living in the Big Apple. By the end of the month that rate had nearly doubled, according to city data.

The same age group has been driving an increase in coronavirus cases in southern states like Texas and Florida.

“I understand for so many younger adults it has been a really difficult time cooped up,” de Blasio continued Monday.

“But we’ve got to keep telling everyone, particularly younger adults, how important it is to stick to what has worked– the social distancing, the face coverings, getting tested,” he said.

The mayor unveiled an education campaign to combat the troublesome trend that includes reaching twenty-somethings through visual media, messages from influencers, a night of outreach in outdoors spots across the city where young adults gather, mobile testing vans and mask giveaways.

“We’re going to do everything to reach younger adults to remind them they are not impervious,” de Blasio said.

He also told all New Yorkers to wear face coverings indoor even if they’re not within six feet of another person.

Still, coronavirus cases and deaths across the five boroughs are down dramatically from this spring when the virus peaked in the city. Just 2 percent of New Yorkers are testing positive for the disease and the city recorded no COVID-19 fatalities Saturday — the first time since March 13 that no deaths of the virus were reported in the Big Apple.