Two of the most recent Knox County residents to die from COVID-19 were 37 and 41 years old, marking the first time anyone under the age of 42 has died locally from the pandemic virus.

Knox County’s mortality rate has spiked within the past week, with four additional deaths reported since July 2, bringing the total to nine. Previously, no deaths attributed to the disease had been reported since April.

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Among the the most recent victims were a 41-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, Knox County Health Director Dr. Martha Buchanan confirmed during a media briefing Monday.

It was not immediately clear whether any contributing factors, such as underlying health issues, may have played a role in either death.

The other coronavirus-related deaths involved Knox County residents between the ages of 61 and 94.

The risk for severe illness related to COVID-19 increases with age, and older adults are more likely to require hospitalization, intensive care or a ventilator to help them breathe, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The ages of local patients, however, are skewing younger as the number of COVID-19 cases in Knox County has more than doubled within the past month — from 460 cases reported June 5 to 1,366 cases as of Tuesday.

That total includes 563 active cases.

Adults between the ages of 21-50 now account for more than half of all confirmed and probable cases recorded in Knox County, according to Knox County Health Department figures.

Related: Tennessee doctors beg governor to mandate masks statewide

An order requiring people to wear face masks in most public indoor spaces took effect Friday after its approval by the Knox County Board and Health.

“Remember, wearing a face covering reduces the chances of someone who has no symptoms or very mild symptoms, who doesn’t think they’re sick, from spreading the disease to others,” Buchanan said. “My mask protects you and your mask protects me.”

Monday numbers

Knox County cases

  • Detected: 1,296, up from 1,203 Sunday (detected and probable cases are separated by Knox County)
  • Active: 495, up from 425 Sunday
  • Probable: 30 are being tracked
  • Recovered: 792
  • Hospitalized at some point: 92
  • Current Knox County residents hospitalized: 20
  • People who have died: 9

Tennessee cases

  • Detected: 52,155, up from 51,431 Sunday (state figures include probable cases, unlike Knox County)
  • Active: 20,482
  • Recovered: 31,020
  • Hospitalized at some point: 2,897
  • People who have died: 653

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