COVID-19 burden 10 times greater than reported in the US
An analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody test results from nearly 12,000 serum samples suggests that the COVID-19 burden across the U.S. may be more than 10 times greater than currently reported, the CDC says. Researchers tested samples collected as part of routine or sick care (but unrelated to COVID-19) between March 23 and May 3 from six regions: Connecticut, southern Florida, Missouri, the New York City metro region, Utah, and Washington State’s Puget Sound region. In New York City, for example, the estimated seroprevalence (adjusted for test sensitivity and specificity) was 6.93% — 12 times higher than the prevalence based on reported cases. In Missouri, the estimated seroprevalence was 2.65% — 24 times higher than the reported prevalence.