New cases of COVID-19 in the United States are returning to their April peak levels.

But, UPMC doctors said, that’s not necessarily an indicator of bad things.

In a Wednesday news conference, Dr. Don Yealy, senior medical director and chair of emergency medicine at UPMC, said that in addition to looking at the numbers of new cases, it’s important to see who is getting these new cases. Yealy said a large number of the new cases are younger people.

“What’s most important now is we have to change our mindset and focus on not just the number of cases, but the severity of illness,” Yealy said. “We shouldn’t just be counting those who have the infection.”

With the total number of confirmed cases now higher than 2.3 million, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United States saw more than 26,000 new cases, part of a general rise in cases since late May. A total of 410 individuals infected by the coronavirus died, lower than the 2,000-per-day figure seen in April.

“The number of positive diagnoses is rising, but the mortality — that is, the number of people dying — is dropping,” Yealy said.

He added that while the virus continues to infect, he sees people delaying needed medical treatment as a bigger threat to the average person than COVID-19. He said the number of patients with strokes or heart attacks has continued to be lower than normal, something he fears doesn’t reflect what is actually happening.

“It’s implausible to think that so many people are now not having those medical emergencies,” he said. “I want to stress: If you are having a medical emergency, come to the hospital. Our hospitals are safe, and we’re ready to care for you. Don’t make bad decisions because of your fears.”