In a recent article from NPR, health professionals are finding evidence that the initial estimates for the death toll caused by COVID-19 may have been significantly overestimated. The mounting body of evidence comes from state’s testing that detect antibodies to the coronavirus in a person’s blood rather than the virus itself. The continued testing nationwide suggests the coronavirus is more common and less deadly than it first appeared.
The tests are finding large numbers of people in the U.S. who were infected but never became seriously ill. And when these mild infections are included in coronavirus statistics, the virus appears less dangerous.Participants got two tests. The first was the standard test that looks for the virus. It shows whether you have an active infection. The second was a test that looks for antibodies to the virus in a person’s blood. It detects people who were infected but have recovered,45% of the infected people reported having no symptoms at all. Read more HERE.