Research estimating the impact of the first Omicron wave indicates it might have been much higher than officially recorded.
"[Antibody studies] give us a greater insight into how much the virus has spread in the community and also what the overall pattern of immunity to the virus looks like in the community," she said.
Adults aged 18 to 29 were more likely to have had an infection, with the researchers finding antibodies in 27 per cent of blood samples. Less than 7 per cent of people aged over 70 had antibodies.Not everyone who gets COVID-19 will get symptoms or get tested, which means their cases may not be added to the official numbers.
"Some people who might have mild symptoms don't want to get tested because they might feel, 'Oh, it's a flu', or they might not have a rapid antigen test available. So they might not get tested and they might be missed," added Jaya Dantas, a professor with the Curtin School of Population Health.
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