The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 60 percent or more of Americans have contracted coronavirus since the epidemic started, which includes three of four children. It concludes that more than 200 million Americans have been affected by the disease. The official number is 81,000, but the figure is determined by calculating the number of people who had positive tests. The larger number is due to the CDC analyzing blood samples and then interpolating the data. Blood samples that contained SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were thought to have been a result of earlier coronavirus infections.
Incidences of the disease increased significantly from the end of December 2021 until February of this year. During that time, the extremely infectious Omicron strain was the most prevalent. “The highest jump in antibody detection was among children and adolescents,” explained Dr. Kristie Clarke, a pediatrician in charge of the study for CDC.
Of course, the CDC accompanied the announcement as it does any news by promoting vaccines and boosters. Clark pointed out that it's vital to note from the results that infection cannot be considered to be protection against future infections. Being up-to-date with vaccination is the most secure method to avoid complications from COVID-19 for those who have a history of infection, according to Clark.
Broken records are more fascinating than listening to the typical CDC spokesperson.
This “new” information comes at a time when a number of politicians have been recently confirmed to be infected, including Vice President Kamala Harris, who broke the news on Tuesday. Her announcement came just a few days after several other notable D.C. figures tested positive, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and new Communications Director Jamal Simmons.
The White House, meanwhile, addressed their fears about the worst scenario that President Joe Biden could face: “He is vaccinated and boosted. He is very well protected. He's got very good protocols around him to protect him from getting infected,” White House COVID-19 response coordinator Ashish Jha said. “But there is no 100 percent anything. I think the key focus has got to be we've got to continue protecting the president.”
Rising suspected cases of hepatitis in children are in the news. There isn't a clear answer as to whether there's a link between COVID or vaccinations. Experts aren't certain why there is an increase in cases; however, it is believed that lockdowns weakening children’s immunity or even a prior Covid infection might be the cause.
The good news with the latest CDC figures is that we're more on the way to achieving herd immunity; however, the former TV celebrity doctor, Anthony Fauci, is changing his mind and now claiming that COVID herd immunity “almost certainly is an unattainable goal.” He's been wrong a number of times, so let's see if it's not the case again.
