Graphic detail
| Footprints of the invisible enemy
Why a study showing that covid-19 is everywhere is good news
If millions of people were infected weeks ago without dying, the virus must be less deadly than official data suggest
ONE OF THE few things known for sure about covid-19 is that it has spread faster than official data imply. Most countries have tested sparingly, focusing on the sick. Just 0.1% of Americans and 0.2% of Italians have been tested and come up positive. In contrast, a study of the entire population of the Italian town of Vò found a rate of 3%.
This article appeared in the Graphic detail section of the print edition under the headline "Footprints of the invisible enemy"
From the April 11th 2020 edition
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