More Than Half of Americans Show Signs of Prior Covid Infection

[Nevilledog]

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Bloomberg
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More than half of the U.S. population shows signs of being infected with the coronavirus at some point, according to a nationwide study of blood samples

bloomberg.com
More Than Half of Americans Show Signs of Prior Covid Infection
Well over half the U.S. population has been infected with the coronavirus at some point, according to a nationwide study of blood samples, the latest evidence of Covid-19’s far-reaching impact.
10:39 AM · Apr 26, 2022

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-04-26/more-than-half-of-americans-show-signs-of-prior-covid-infection

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https://archive.ph/Xt0YP

Well over half the U.S. population has been infected with the coronavirus at some point, according to a nationwide study of blood samples, the latest evidence of Covid-19’s far-reaching impact.

As of February, 57.7% of Americans had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in their blood, health officials said, up from 33.5% in December, when the omicron wave began sweeping across the country. While the antibodies aren’t necessarily protective, they indicate a previous infection.

With increased access to at-home testing and many people experiencing mild or asymptomatic cases, official Covid case counts have become increasingly unreliable. The blood survey is the best evidence available of the disease’s reach: It suggests that since the omicron wave began late last year, almost a quarter of the country was newly infected with the virus.

Rates were even higher among children and teens, with about 75% of those up to age 17 now showing signs of infection, an increase of about 30 percentage points since December, according to the estimate. The survey period ran through February, meaning the actual rates are by now higher.

*snip*

[SoonerPride]

1. I have not had the antibody tests but I assume I had it asymptomatically

It just seems likely that exposure happens and some time in the last two years the odds are that I contracted Covid and never knew it.

Maybe not.

But odds are high that I did.

Same goes for you reading this. Even if you think "I never got Covid" odds are that you did and didn't know it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. This is very interesting, and not at all surprising.

It's good to be able to say that this did happen to many people. This article gives us greater assurance that many folks were infected.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. And according to Johns Hopkins, there's evidence that all of them -- regardless of health or age --

are now at higher risk for cardiac clots, inflammation and arrhythmia. All of them. We're going to be paying for this for decades.

[beaglelover]

5. Enjoy your short stay.

[AZLD4Candidate]

7. You keep showing up with this BS. You must really love being MIRTed.

[Torchlight]

8. n/m. Sounds serious

Good luck

[MissB]

9. Nah. Use the alert button.

I usually tell them to enjoy their stay.

[Torchlight]

11. I think I get it. Thanks. :) n/t

[MissB]

10. Welcome to DU!

Enjoy your stay.

[tavernier]

12. Thanks Whiskey!

I bet the millions who died those horrible deaths would have gladly traded for the “possible side effects” from the vaccine… although I understand some preferred to announce their ignorance loudly right to the end.

[Ms. Toad]

16. +1000. n/t

[roamer65]

6. Vaccines are the only way forward.

[Jilly_in_VA]

14. No surprise

We had it before it was a "thing". The symptoms were all there except for "Covid toes" which I don't think show up in everyone. Got vaccinated and boosted anyway. No sequelae.

[Igirl]

15. I think this a good thing

Half of all adults and 75% of all have antibodies. This is a good step towards a normalized future and COVID becoming a seasonal cold. I did not enjoy the isolation of COVID and I definitely think it had a negative social effect on our children the last 3 years.

[mcar]

17. Everyone in my family has had it

Even my 9 MO granddaughter. Everyone's been vaxxed and boosted ('cept the baby) so we had mild cases. We've also been quite cautious, especially son, DIL and baby.

[FakeNoose]

18. I haven't caught Covid, but I have been vaccinated

... so wouldn't I show antibodies from the vaccination? That's what I've assumed all along.
If it's the case then shouldn't all of us be showing anti-bodies by now?