Pathfinder
Editor, Senior Moderator
Ochsner Health Announces COVID-19 Jefferson And Orleans Parish Prevalence Study Findings
RELEASE DATE: JULY 2, 2020
Today Ochsner Health announced key findings from a COVID-19 seroprevalence study, conducted in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes in mid-May. The study, which tested more than 2,500 Jefferson and Orleans Parish residents for COVID-19 and antibodies, provides valuable insights about the true spread of the virus in our community.
Key Findings:
https://news.ochsner.org/news-releas...study-findings
RELEASE DATE: JULY 2, 2020
Today Ochsner Health announced key findings from a COVID-19 seroprevalence study, conducted in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes in mid-May. The study, which tested more than 2,500 Jefferson and Orleans Parish residents for COVID-19 and antibodies, provides valuable insights about the true spread of the virus in our community.
Key Findings:
- 7.8% of Jefferson and Orleans Parish residents have been exposed to COVID-19.
- Based on a 7.8% prevalence rate, it is presumed that more than 64,000 Jefferson and Orleans Parish residents have been infected.
- The calculated COVID-19 infection fatality rate is 1.63%, which is 10 to 40 times more deadly than the seasonal flu (fatality rate 0.04%-0.16%).
- Infection rates were higher among black residents (10.3%) than white residents (5.9%), but fatality rates of 1.72% and 1.58%, respectively, were not significantly different.
- 75% of infectious people were asymptomatic and ~40% of people never experience symptoms.
- Continued safety measures, including adherence to social distancing and wearing masks in public, are essential as we move forward to limit further spread.
- The death rate is higher than the seasonal flu but lower than state deaths divided by confirmed cases would suggest.
- Virus spread in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes does not indicate that we are near herd immunity, which would occur with an exposure rate of approximately 70%.
https://news.ochsner.org/news-releas...study-findings