How should I interpret "nearly" in this sentence? [closed]

Several stories in major news organizations (Washington Post, NPR, NY Times) today used an interesting construction in describing the alarming increase in Omicron infections: "Omicron positives are doubling nearly every two days" How EXACTLY should that be interpreted? Does the word "nearly" refer to the "two", or does it refer to an implicit rate? If it refers to the "two", i.e., "nearly two", then it means a number LESS THAN two. E.g., "My son is nearly two years old" That would mean that the doubling time is LESS than every two days, for example if you have 10 cases today then in two days you might have 22 or 25 cases.

But if the "nearly" refers to an implicit rate then it means the doubling time is nearly as fast as every two days, so if you have 10 cases today then in 2 days you might have 18 cases or something like that.

Which is the correct way to interpret that sentence?

Solution 1:

The non-science English speaking public is likely to interpret this as Incidence Doubling in a little over two days. Not as fast as every two days but nearly so. That the rate is accelerating is an implicit threat and cause of fear.