Estimated SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence in the US as of September 2020
Cross sectional study in 52 US jurisdictions (177,919 specimens) found the estimated percentage of persons in a jurisdiction with detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies ranged from 1% to 23%. Over 4 sampling periods, fewer than 10% of people had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
Source:
JAMA Internal Medicine
SPS commentary:
A related editorial laments that the data suggest, unlike the 1918 pandemic, achieving herd immunity through natural infections will take years of painful sacrifice that are tallied in numerous deaths, severe long-term health sequelae, and widespread economic disruption and hardship. It is hoped that safe and effective vaccines will help avoid the consequences of naturally developing herd immunity to COVID-19, as they have reliably done for so many other respiratory viruses.