The number of young people in Rock County contracting COVID-19, is on the rise.

The Rock County Public Health Department says, of the 223 confirmed cases in June, 60-percent were under the age of 40, and 25-percent were between 20 and 29.

County health officer Marie Noel-Sandoval is urging younger residents to protect themselves with a reminder that no one is safe from the virus.

She notes that even if young people do not become severely ill after being infected, they can pass it on to others who are more vulnerable.

Sandoval emphasized that wearing face coverings in public is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of the disease.