Sero surveillance shows 33% of Delhi population has Covid-19 antibodies

Last updated on February 15th, 2023 at 12:44 pm

Latest serological survey conducted in Delhi revealed one in three or 33% of the population has developed antibodies against coronavirus. The initial analysis of third sero survey included surveillance of 17,000 samples which had been collected from 11 districts. The official outcome of survey is to be announced next week. As per the survey out of two crore Delhi population 66 lakh have been infected with the novel coronavirus and now have antibodies post recovery. This would hence be the highest seroprevalence since the Covid-19 pandemic began.

Second survey was done in August first week that showed 29.1% of population to have antibodies against Covid-19. This was an increase from results of first sero survey that was conducted from June end to July early and had showed 23.4% of population to have developed antibodies. For first survey over 21,000 samples were collected and for second round of survey 15,000 samples were studied.

Quoting this as a good sign an official said, “People who have antibodies are not currently infected. They have recovered from Covid-19. Many of them didn’t even realize that they had been infected and recovered successfully.”

Samples were collected from individuals falling in three categories – below 18 years of age, between 18 and 49 years and over 50 years of age. The maximum number of samples were collected from age group of 18-49 years of age. The samples for the third survey, as the first two, are being analyzed by Maulana Azad Medical College. Source revealed that till now over half of the samples have been analysed and by the time reports are released there can be a further rise in seroprevalence. The latest reports of seroprevalence will be highly instrumental in helping government to micro-analyse the Covid-19 situation in country and to take steps to help contain the infection spread.

Third round of survey was initiated on September 1 and samples were collected by September 7 by front line health workers. The samples were collected in a randomized sampling fashion and from identified locations. The people were required to give their blood sample at nearest dispensary. The individuals who had participated in earlier two surveys were exempted from third round.

Another survey is likely to be sanctioned from October 1 by Delhi government. The seroprevalence is indicative of Delhi crawling towards herd immunity against Coronavirus infection.

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