New York survey suggests 2.7 million in state may have coronavirus antibodies

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said on Thursday a preliminary survey found that nearly 14% tested positive for antibodies against the novel coronavirus, suggesting that as many 2.7 million New Yorkers may have been infected with the disease.

While noting the sample size of 3,000 people and other limitations of the survey, Cuomo said the implied fatality rate of 0.5 percent of those infected by COVID-19, the respiratory illness caused by the virus, was lower than some experts feared.

“If the infection rate is 13.9 percent, then it changes the theories of what the death rate is if you get infected,” Cuomo told a daily briefing.

The survey targeted people who were out shopping, but not working, meaning they were not essential workers like grocery clerks or bus drivers but were more likely to test positive for antibodies than someone isolated at home, Cuomo said.

Even after discounting for those caveats, Cuomo said the preliminary data added to his understanding of the virus and would inform his reopening plan, with social distancing measures relaxed more quickly in less infected regions of the state.

Cuomo said the state would keep adding to the sample size in the coming weeks and would test more in African-American and Hispanic communities, which made up disproportionately high percentages of positive tests in the survey so far, with whites registering a disproportionately lower infection rate.

“I want to see snapshots of what is happening with that rate – is it going up, is it flat, is it going down,” Cuomo told a daily briefing. “It can really give us data to make decisions.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-usa-new-york-idUSKCN2252WN

I believe the flu also has the same number of asymptomatic cases, and with those who later have antibodies.  Approx 1/3 of flu cases each year are symptomatic.  

There are also studies that show people can get reinfected again with covid, so they shouldn't overplay their hand on that one until there are studies done.   Last I heard was that there were 8 diff strains / variants of covid, so not wise to claim 100% immunity with the antibodies.   

Some of these officials are concerning with their knowledge, or lack thereof.   

Some level of immunity is (I hope) the likely scenario  Full immunity is probably a pipe-dream unfortunately.  Same with a vaccine - doubt it's gonna be able to provide full immunity.  Hopefully mutations and new strains do not become more deadly.

I have to say, however, that as hard as this has hit some areas, i feel much better seeing increasing evidence on this being more widespread than reported. That means it's less deadly than reported and we can hopefully before too long resume our lives. Of course, the impact all the shutdowns have had on economies around the world is just starting. The ripples across the supply chains is tremendous so I think it will be a long time, even if the pandemic concern subsides, until anyone/anything goes back to "normal".  

Maybe it's just my "doom-er" side but I would not be surprised to revolutions and wars stat flaring up around the globe.