According to an antibody survey released tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as of February, an estimated 58 percent of the U.S. population — more than 190 million people — had been infected with the new coronavirus, Agence France-Presse reported. AFP noted that the figure was much higher than the officially recorded 80 million cases, most of which were undiagnosed, asymptomatic or unreported.
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According to a paper based on an antibody testing study for Americans, about 75 percent of people under the age of 18 in the United States have been infected with the new crown virus.
From September 2021 to January 2022, the study tested about 75,000 blood samples taken monthly from across the United States, and 45,000 samples in February this year. The study only detected antibodies produced as a result of a previous infection, not antibodies obtained from vaccination.
Kristie Clarke, an expert at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told reporters: "Having antibodies caused by infection doesn't necessarily mean you'll be protected from infection in the future." Antibodies acquired after previous infections have been shown to provide some protection against serious illness and hospitalization, while vaccination, whether before or after infection, can provide additional protection. ”
Image source: Visual China
Clark stressed that timely vaccination against COVID-19 remains critical because the duration of immunity produced by the infection is unknown.
The U.S. currently offers a fourth dose of the vaccine to people 50 years of age and older, and a third dose to people under the age of 50. Children aged five and under are the only group that is not eligible for vaccination. "The best way to protect them is to make sure they're surrounded by people who take precautions, like getting vaccinated in a timely manner," Clark said. ”
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Agence France-Presse said that across the United States, the number of infections caused by the Aomi Kerong BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 variants is increasing, including a series of new cases that have swept through senior U.S. government figures.
The White House said U.S. Vice President Harris tested positive for the virus on Tuesday but had no symptoms, while President Joe Biden is not currently considered a close contact of Harris.
According to data recorded by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the cumulative number of COVID-19 deaths in the United States has exceeded 990,000 and is still rising. The current daily death toll is around 300 and is expected to reach the 1 million death milestone in the coming weeks.
(Edit: DXY)