One out of every five coronavirus cases is among kids, data shows

North Carolina is averaging about 3,300 new coronavirus infections each day, which is nearly the same as the state's daily average in late November - just before vaccines became available and cases, hospitalizations and deaths peaked.

The most recent data from the state Department of Health and Human Services shows people who are 25 to 49 make up the majority of those who have caught the virus recently. For the week of July 25, they comprised of more than 43% of new cases. Cases among children and youths under 18 make up a greater proportion of overall cases now, too.

Nearly one out of every five people testing positive is 17 or younger. In the fall, when the state's case rate was nearly identical, those under 18 made up 10% of infections.

While cases are increasing among the youngest North Carolinians, they're remaining out of the hospital.

The rate of people under 20 hospitalized with COVID-19 is 2.7%. And only three people below 18 have died from the virus since the pandemic began in March 2020.

Among the eldest in the state – those 60 or older – hospitalizations are decreasing as compared to February, when the overall number of those in the hospital with COVID-19 is about the same as now. Less than half of those now hospitalized with COVID-19 – 45% – are in that age bracket, down from 62% a few months back.

As that has decreased, the number of COVID-positive hospital patients in their 40s and 50s has increased.