INDIANA — The results of a statewide COVID-19 study from the Fairbanks School of Public Health have been released. The first phase of the study was conducted between April 25 and May 1, involved testing 3,600 people selected randomly and 900 volunteers recruited through outreach to the African-American and Hispanic communities to reflect state demographics.
The study found that 1.7% of those tested were positive, and another 1.1% had antibodies that suggest they were exposed to the virus. From that data, they estimate that 2.8%, or 186,000, of all Hoosiers have had COVID-19. In contrast, the official state testing revealed about 17,000 active cases during the same period, or a tenth of the estimated cases.
Tests on symptomatic Hoosiers available across the state have only identified about 1 in 11 of all infections. IUPUI scientists estimate that 0.58% of infected people have died (six times more deadly than the seasonal flu).
More concerning is that 44.8% of people who tested positive showed no symptoms of COVID-19. Those Hoosiers could easily transmit the virus to anyone they came in close contact with — friends, family members, neighbors, grocery shoppers, etc.
The study also suggested that African-Americans and Hispanics have a higher positive rate for the virus.
More studies are slated for June and October of this year, and April of 2021. The takeaway is that COVID-19 impacts everyone and the preliminary results of the Fairbanks study show why it is critically important for all of us to continue social distancing, practice good hygiene and wear masks when venturing in heavily trafficked places.
For more information on the study, visit fsph.iupui.edu/news-events/ and click on the COVID-19 study.