Could You Have Had COVID? Chances Are Strong

Have you had COVID-19? How would you know? Of course, if you had a positive test result, that means you most probably were infected. False negative results are more common than false positive ones.

Who Has Had COVID?

New research suggests that nearly 60% of Americans have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 (MMWR, April 26, 2022). That includes roughly three out of four children.

The CDC determined these rates based on blood tests for antibodies produced during infection. (People don’t make those specific antibodies in response to vaccination.) This level, which was established on tests run through February 2022, is twice the rate seen in December 2021. Think about that for just a minute. In just two months, the rate of positive blood tests doubled. Clearly, the Omicron surge had a big impact.

The greatest increase during the Omicron surge was among children and teens, perhaps because they were less likely to be fully vaccinated. People over 65, on the other hand, had the slightest increase. About one-third of them have antibodies to the virus.

Case Rates Are Climbing:

Case rates of COVID-19 are up dramatically in some communities. In the US overall, rates have risen 59% over the last two weeks. In addition, hospitalization rates are also starting to climb. Vermont, Massachusetts and New Hampshire have seen an increase of at least 60% in the last couple of weeks. So far, death rates have remained steady or are down by as much as 30% nationally.

Having had COVID does offer some degree of protection from infection. However, the CDC acknowledges that reinfections happen. The epidemiologists do not know exactly how common they are or who is most susceptible. They are currently conducting studies to find answers to those questions. Consequently, they urge us all to get vaccinated, stay home if we are sick, wear our masks when we are with others and wash our hands frequently.