A five-month study led by researchers from Stanford University’s School of Medicine found that the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Placer County is likely three times as high as the current number of confirmed cases.Placer County launched the study in October to better understand the COVID-19 infection rate among county residents. Led by Stanford University School of Medicine, study investigators tested blood samples from 2,035 residents between October and March for COVID-19 antibodies using rigorous methods, according to a news release.The reason for the discrepancy is that some of those infected may not have developed symptoms or never got tested or never sought to be tested, according to the news release.”The good news is that Placer County has done a great job protecting its most vulnerable people with masking and social distancing,” said the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Julie Parsonnet, a professor with Stanford Medicine. “The bad news is there is a long way to go before people can let their guards down.”The study showed vaccinations have surpassed infections as the main source of COVID-19 antibodies in study participants beginning in January.People who were vaccinated, on average, had much higher antibody levels than people who acquired the virus naturally — in line with other studies indicating vaccination offers stronger protection than natural infection against future COVID-19 infection.State data indicate that close to a quarter of Placer County residents have been fully vaccinated as of April 12.”Vaccination is the key to bring this pandemic to an end,” said Dr. Rob Oldham, director of Health and Human Services and interim health officer for Placer County.
PLACER COUNTY, Calif. —
A five-month study led by researchers from Stanford University’s School of Medicine found that the actual number of COVID-19 cases in Placer County is likely three times as high as the current number of confirmed cases.
Placer County launched the study in October to better understand the COVID-19 infection rate among county residents. Led by Stanford University School of Medicine, study investigators tested blood samples from 2,035 residents between October and March for COVID-19 antibodies using rigorous methods, according to a news release.
The reason for the discrepancy is that some of those infected may not have developed symptoms or never got tested or never sought to be tested, according to the news release.
“The good news is that Placer County has done a great job protecting its most vulnerable people with masking and social distancing,” said the study’s principal investigator, Dr. Julie Parsonnet, a professor with Stanford Medicine. “The bad news is there is a long way to go before people can let their guards down.”
The study showed vaccinations have surpassed infections as the main source of COVID-19 antibodies in study participants beginning in January.
People who were vaccinated, on average, had much higher antibody levels than people who acquired the virus naturally — in line with other studies indicating vaccination offers stronger protection than natural infection against future COVID-19 infection.
State data indicate that close to a quarter of Placer County residents have been fully vaccinated as of April 12.
“Vaccination is the key to bring this pandemic to an end,” said Dr. Rob Oldham, director of Health and Human Services and interim health officer for Placer County.