A new study shows young people are developing serious complications from the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
On Wednesday, the CDC released a report to detail the complications in the US from the disease.
The study took a look at 508 patients who had been hospitalized from the virus and found 20 percent were aged 20–44 years.
At a White House press conference Wednesday, Dr. Deborah Birx with the coronavirus task force, said she was concerned with the number of young people in Europe who are sick from the virus.
"There are concerning reports coming out of France and Italy about some young people getting seriously ill and very seriously ill in the ICUs," Birx said.
She urged young people to follow guidelines about social distancing.
Brian Young, M.D. with Legacy Health says everyone - young and old - needs to take this very seriously.
Young said he is concerned by the rising number of US cases.
“Based on the projections I'm seeing, it's an eye-opener and I think we'll all have to take this seriously,” said Young.
Dr. Young says it's important everyone does their part to slow the spread of the disease.
“We truly are all in this together. When we talk about social distancing, even sheltering in place, everyone has to participate in this or it won't work,” said Dr. Young.
Health officials still say the virus poses the most serious risk to seniors and people with underlying medical conditions. Officials say for them the virus can be life threatening.
Experts are also concerned by the number of people who are testing positive for the virus but showing no symptoms, known as asymptomatic spread.
Dr. Jennifer Vines, the medical officer for Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington county said she was not concerned with asymptomatic spread in the community.
Vines said public health are asking people with symptoms of the virus to stay home to prevent the spread of the illness through droplets.