A study of recent blood donors suggests three times as many Quebecers could have been infected with the novel coronavirus than is reflected in the official numbers. Based on the sample data, the study extrapolates that 124,880 Quebecers aged 18 to 69 had been infected between the start of the pandemic and early July. The study was conducted by analyzing blood samples for COVID-19 antibodies, which help the body fight off infection. In Ontario, a study analyzing blood samples collected in June suggested that 1.1 per cent of the province's population had been infected. A national study of blood samples conducted by Canadian Blood Services and Canada's COVID-19 Immunity Task Force found that less than one per cent of samples had COVID-19 antibodies.

Source: CBC News August 05, 2020 13:16 UTC