Stanford University Study: 50 to 85 Times More People Infected with Coronavirus Than Confirmed

(Patria) – A study conducted by the American Stanford University indicates that coronavirus infection rates are likely 50 to 85 times higher than those confirmed by standard testing.

The researchers from one of the most renowned American educational institutions tested blood samples from 3,330 individuals in Santa Clara County and ultimately found that the virus was present 50 to 85 times more than official data records.

The research was based on detecting antibodies by taking blood samples from the finger of healthy individuals, which could determine whether they were infected or had already recovered from the virus without being aware of it.

At the time the research was conducted, Santa Clara County recorded 1,094 confirmed infections and 50 deaths. However, the study results show that by early April, between 48,000 and 81,000 people in that county had already been infected.

This could mean that the coronavirus may be less fatal for the overall population than previously believed. The official mortality rate in the US from the coronavirus is 4.1%. Stanford experts claim their findings indicate it is significantly lower, at just 0.12 to 0.2%.

Some experts interpret the results of this study as suggesting we are closer to building herd immunity than expected – a concept that holds that if enough people in a given population develop antibodies to the virus, that population becomes immune to it. At the same time, they warn that decisions should not yet be based on this hypothesis until further research is conducted.

Additionally, it is uncertain whether the results of this study conducted in Santa Clara can be applied to the entire US or other countries.

- It is very important that similar studies be conducted across the country, says Jayanta Bhattacharya, a Stanford professor and author of the study. 'It is clear that the virus is significantly more present in certain areas, and understanding the prevalence of the virus in each region is a crucial step in making decisions,' this researcher emphasized.

(source Guardian)