LONDON, April 28 -- More than half of Americans have been infected with COVID-19 at least once, according to a study recently released by the U.S. medical authority.

 

Some 58 percent of the overall U.S. population and more than 75 percent of younger children have been infected with the virus since the start of the pandemic, a Reuters report said on Tuesday, citing a study issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

 

Infections and hospitalizations in the United States were both rising in the past week, according to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

 

"Having infection-induced antibodies does not necessarily mean you are protected against future infection," said Kristie Clarke, co-author of the study.

 

"We did not look at whether people had a level of antibodies that provides protection against reinfection or severe disease," he added.