New York Governor Andrew Cuomo shared statistics yesterday that there has been a four point spike in the rate of positive COVID-19 tests in individuals ages 21-30. (Screenshot from July 23rd Press Briefing)

CHENANGO COUNTY – During a press brief on Thursday with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, he reported that while COVID-19 rates in all other age groups are either plateauing or decreasing, there has been a significant rate increase in individuals ages 21 to 30.

"We're monitoring a second COVID threat, which is the rise in COVID rates among younger people. You look at the age brackets and they’re basically flat or down except for one group, 21 to 30 years old. It has ticked up four points. That is a significant increase in a short period of time and we know why," said Cuomo.

"It's not hard to understand what’s going on, you get groups of young people and it's warm, they've been locked up for a long time, they like to socialize, I get it. But you don't socially distance, you don't wear masks, the virus spreads."

The COVID-19 rate in people ages 21-30 has gone from 9.9 percent to 13.2 percent in the last two weeks. Chenango County has had a total of 194 confirmed cased in the area, with 168 now recovered. Seven deaths related to the outbreak have also been reported.

President and CEO of Commerce Chenango Kerri Green says for Chenango County and neighboring areas one of the biggest issues they're dealing with is enforcement.