[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The officially recorded cumulative COVID-19 cases in the United States have surpassed 100 million. However, considering asymptomatic individuals and those who self-diagnosed at home, the actual number of confirmed cases in the U.S. since the pandemic began is estimated to be more than double that figure.
On the 28th (local time), U.S. economic media CNBC reported, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), that the officially confirmed cumulative COVID-19 cases in the U.S. have exceeded 100 million, and this may be a significant undercount of the actual cases. As COVID-19 variants continue to emerge and the fatality rate decreases, the number of asymptomatic individuals and those who self-diagnosed at home has surged, and these cases were not included in the CDC's official tally.
Dr. Tom Frieden, who served as CDC director during the Obama administration, estimated that the official count likely represents less than half of the actual cases. Dr. Frieden stated, "At least 200 million COVID-19 cases have likely occurred in the United States."
About a year ago, during the spread of Omicron, the number of hospitalizations was around 21,000 per day, which has decreased by 77% from its peak. Deaths have also declined. However, despite widespread vaccination and other measures, CNBC reported that 400 people still die daily from COVID-19 and 5,000 are hospitalized.
Earlier, the CDC estimated that as of February this year, approximately 187 million people in the U.S. had experienced COVID-19 at least once. This was more than double the officially recorded confirmed cases at that time.
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