In February 2022, at least 58% of the American population had contracted Covid since the start of the pandemic, according to a study by the American Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) published on Tuesday and based on an examination of antibodies. .
This percentage equates to nearly 190 million people in the United States, a number far higher than the 80 million officially recorded cases, most of which are therefore undiagnosed, asymptomatic or not registered with authorities.
About 75% of the population under the age of 18 contracted the virus, according to the study, with a colossal jump in cases (especially among children) during the wave of the Omicron variant last winter.
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The nationwide survey looked for the presence of antibodies against the nucleocapsid protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which the immune system only creates in response to contamination.
Current vaccines train the immune system to create antibodies against the Spike protein.
Each month from September 2021 to January 2022, the study examined nearly 75,000 blood samples across the country, as well as 45,000 in February.
The researchers then produced national estimates using statistical methods to weight age, gender and geographic distribution.
"We didn't look at whether people had a level of antibodies from a previous (Covid) infection that was sufficient to provide protection against reinfection or the development of a severe form of the disease," said Kristie Clarke, co-lead of the national Covid-19 serology task force, during a conference call with reporters.
Past infection would provide protection against severe forms
"Previous infection has been found to provide some protection against severe disease and hospitalizations - and vaccination, either before or after infection, provides additional protection," she added.
It remains essential to be up to date with your vaccination against Covid-19, underlined Kristie Clarke.
Nationally, the number of cases is going up due to the Omicron BA.2 and BA.2.12.1 subvariants.
Despite an increasing number of hospitalizations, the number of deaths continues to fall and currently stands at almost 300 a day.
The United States should officially reach the symbolic mark of one million deaths in the coming weeks.
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On Tuesday evening, the administration of Joe Biden announced that the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday but is not considered to have been in "close" contact with President Joe. Biden, his spokeswoman announced.
The 57-year-old vice president “has no symptoms, she will self-isolate and continue to work from her residence,” Kirsten Allen said in a statement.
"She has not been in close contact with the President or the First Lady due to their recent travel schedules" and she "will return to the White House when she tests negative," she added.
Joe Biden, the 79-year-old Democratic President, tested negative for Covid-19 on Monday, his spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.
