On the increasing role of older adolescents and younger adults during the SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Mexico, April 20 – May 24, 2020
Abstract
Background
The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Mexico is growing, and there is uncertainty regarding the role that different age groups play in propagating the epidemic.
Methods
We used data on hospitalizations with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection from the Mexican Ministry of Health in ten 5-year age groups: 10-14through 55-59 years. For each age group g, we computed the proportion E(g) of individuals in that age group among all hospitalized cases aged 10-59 years during the early period (between April 20 – May 3, 2020), the corresponding proportion L(g) during the later periods (May 11-24), as well as the relative risk RR(g)= L(g)/E(g). For each pair of age groups g1,g2, RR(g1)>RR(g2) is interpreted as a relative increase in SARS-CoV-2 infections in the age group g1 compared with g2 for the later vs. early period.
Results
The highest RR estimates belong to persons aged 15-19 years (RR=1.93(95% CI (1.19,3.12)) and 20-24 years (RR=1.40(1.07,1.83)). The RR estimates in persons aged over 30 years were significantly lower compared to persons aged 15-24 years.
Conclusions
Our results suggest a temporal increase in the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in older adolescents and younger adults compared to other age groups. Targeted interventions, particularly public health messaging at those age groups to increase knowledge and risk awareness may be considered.
Related articles
Related articles are currently not available for this article.