60% of Americans Have Experienced COVID Infection... "Vaccination Needed Even with Antibodies"

Published 27 Apr.2022 10:18(KST)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] A study has found that 58% of the U.S. population has been infected with COVID-19 at least once. Unlike the resurgence of COVID-19 in Asia and Europe due to the recent spread of the Omicron variant, the U.S. appears to have avoided a new wave, which is analyzed to be because more than half of the population has already been infected with COVID-19.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced this on the 26th (local time), citing nationwide blood test results, according to reports by the Wall Street Journal and others.

According to the CDC, before the spread of the Omicron variant began in December last year, blood tests conducted on Americans showed that the proportion of people with a history of COVID-19 infection was about 30%. However, blood tests conducted from December last year to February this year showed that this proportion rose to 58%.

In particular, confirmed cases among children and adolescents surged. The proportion of individuals under 17 years old with specific antibodies was 44.2% in December last year but increased to 75.2% in February this year.

The proportion of people aged 18 to 49 who had been infected with COVID-19 was confirmed to be 64%. The infection rate dropped to 50% among middle-aged adults aged 50 to 65 and to the 30% range among seniors aged 65 and older.

The New York Times explained, "Because many Americans have already been infected with COVID-19, the recent resurgence of COVID-19 confirmed in some countries such as China does not appear to have occurred in the U.S."

U.S. health authorities warned that even if antibodies are present due to COVID-19 infection, reinfection is still possible.

Dr. Kristi Clarke of the CDC, who conducted the study, said, "Having antibodies generated from infection does not necessarily mean protection from future infections," adding, "We have not confirmed whether people have antibody levels sufficient to protect against reinfection or severe illness."