By Daniel Clark and Anne North

Younger people appear to be more likely to catch Covid-19 than the elderly, according to government figures.

Data published today (Wednesday) reveal that in Cornwall, just 9% of cases are in the 60+ age group, with 24% in the 20-29 age range, and 22% in the 10-19 age group.

In Plymouth, just 13% are in the 60+ age group, with 32% in the 20-29 age range, and 13% in the 10-19 age group.

The figures nail the myth that Covid-19 is a disease which affects only certain age groups. Like most viruses it is clearly indiscriminate.

The consequences of catching the Cornavirus are, however, far more severe for the older generation. According to the latest Covid-19 “dashboard” for Cornwall, nearly 90% of all fatalities have been among those aged over 65.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock had told BBC Radio 4 that Downing Street will be looking at the rate of new Covid-19

cases, the number of people with the virus in the over 60s age range, hospitalisations, and deaths related to coronavirus, when assessing which tiers to put areas into.

Only 15 new Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Cornwall in the past 24 hours, after four consecutive days which have averaged close to 50 per day.

BBC Local Democracy Service