Cases rise among younger people

The coronavirus pandemic has moved into younger populations across much of the United States, a change that could mean less serious illness and lower rates of death, according to the CDC and the White House task force. 

"It is obvious that we are seeing right now infections that are targeting younger individuals," CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield said during a media telebriefing.

But younger people may not be taking the pandemic as seriously as they should, CDC's Dr. Jay Butler added. "We may need to get out the message that young people are not somehow naturally immune to this virus, although they may be at lower risk of severe infection," he said.

During a White House coronavirus task force briefing, the issue was front and center. Vice President Mike Pence said about half of new cases are among people under the age of 35.

Even if young people are feeling more willing to go out, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, had a warning.

“Ultimately you will infect someone who’s vulnerable,” Fauci said.