PHOENIX Herd immunity:That isa phrase we have heard and reada lot lately in the debate over the best way to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Arizona is deep inthe coronavirus pandemic if you ask health experts. Over the last fewweeks,the number of cases in the Grand Canyon State have exploded.

Arizonans have been asked by state healthofficialsto physical distance, wear a mask and wash their handsin an effort tostem the tide of the virus.

However, there are some people that believe that is not the right approach, citing it keeps us from gaining herd immunity.

But what is herd immunity? And will it work against the coronavirus?

DeeptaBhattacharya, associate professor of immunobiology at the University of Arizona, explainedherd immunity is when a significant portion of a population is exposed to a virus and becomes immune toit.

Herd immunity is when enough people haveacquiredresistance to the infections that transmission is slowed down so that very few new infections are reported as a result,Bhattacharya said.

Bhattacharya saidherd immunityis usually achieved when about 70% of the population gains that resistance.

What we are seeing now, even in the hardest of hardest hit spots...only about 20 percent of people have been infected by the virus and show some signs of immunity to it, Bhattacharya said.

Experts say there are two ways to accomplish herd immunity: With a vaccine or naturally.

Bhattacharya said scientists are working on vaccinesthat consists of antibodies that help fight the virus,as well as,vaccines that are made upproteins that allow the human body to make its ownantibodies

The vaccines are basically proteins of the virus. It is not the actual virus but they are proteins of the virusthat you are immunized against andso thenyourownbodyis makingantibodiesagainst those proteins, so if youre ever exposed to the virus naturally youll already have thoseantibodiesthat can prevent it from getting into your cells,Bhattacharya explained.

Whilea number ofcompanies are racing to develop and test avaccine,we are still months and perhaps years from a viablecureforCOVID-19.Andsome might be wonderingwhy we did not just try to accomplish herd immunity naturally.

Doctors from the Mayo Clinic sayherd immunity can be accomplished if a virus is spreadthroughout a communitybecause people naturally develop antibodies against the virus.

Scientists say there are some issues with developing herd immunitynaturallyfor COVID-19.

For one, itis still notclear to researchers if a person who recovered from the virus can maintain immunity.

Second, research has shown some people have contracted the virus more than once.

Further research is needed to determine the protective effect of antibodies to the virus in those who have been infected,according to a Mayo Clinic report.

Nearly 230 million Americans would have to recover fromcoronavirus in order to accomplish herd immunity naturallyand stop the pandemic.

Health experts saya push for natural herd immunity couldlead to overwhelming the health care system and more people dying.

This amount of infection could also lead to serious complications and millions of deaths, especially among older people and those who have chronic conditions, a Mayor Clinic report explained.

All eyes were on Swedenearly on in thepandemicas the countrychose topursue natural herd immunity.The country of about 10 million people did not enact an official lockdown and kept schools open,according to an NBC report.

Sweden reported 78,504 cases and 5,667 deaths related to COVID-19 as of Thursday.The death rate in Sweden is much higher than that of its Nordic neighborsFinland, Norway and Denmark.

Many health experts saythe best approach to combating COVID is continuing to physical distance, wear a mask in public and wash your hands regularly.

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Herd immunity: Is it the answer to stopping the spread of COVID-19? - 12news.com KPNX