The New Jersey Department of Health reported an alarming trend of the positivity rate of COVID-19 among young people increasing.

Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli says that cases of coronavirus among people age 19-24 have the highest positivity rate at 6%. Cases among people ages 14-18 have a positivity rate of 4%. Persichilli says that all other age groups have seen a decrease in the positivity percentage.

“The most recent increase among young people began in mid-August, and the department is hearing anecdotal reports of social gatherings, such as the end of summer parties and back-to-school parties… and they’re helping to drive transmission,” the health commissioner said, adding that there is an increase in cases among college-aged students living in off-campus housing.

Persichilli went on to say that the state is not aware of any COVID-19 cases that have been transmitted in K-12 schools. Some students and staff have tested positive for the virus, but the cases are not related to in-school attendance.