Aditi tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 29
It was estimated that one in 15 people over the age of 10 had been exposed to COVID-19, causing SARS-CoV-2 in August 2020, the second serology survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research found.
ICMR chief Balram Bhargava said Tuesday that the second serosurvey collected blood samples from 29,082 people in the same 700 villages and urban districts of 70 districts in 21 states that were covered in the first survey.
“The prevalence of COVID-19 among people over 10 years old was found to be 6.6 percent. The prevalence was not different by age group and gender. Urban slums showed the highest risk gradient with a prevalence of 15.6 percent compared to 8.2 percent in urban neighborhoods that are not slums and 4.4 percent in rural areas. The prevalence in adults – over 18 years old – was found at 7.1 percent, which is more than the 0.73 percent prevalence found in the category over 18 years old in the last serology survey that determined the prevalence of infection until late May, ”said Bhargava. .
The survey results indicate that more than 90 percent of Indians remain vulnerable to the virus because they have not yet been exposed to it.
Serum surveys detect the presence of antibodies in people’s blood samples. The presence of antibodies reveals past exposure to the virus.
Bhargava said that since a large proportion of the population is still susceptible, prevention fatigue should be avoided by using the strategy of the five Ts: Test, Follow-up, Follow-up, Treatment and Technology.
NITI Member Health Aayog VK Paul, commenting on the ICMR survey findings, said the upcoming holiday and winter months would present fertile ground for the spread of the virus.
“People need to check this. We all know that respiratory viruses are winter viruses. They like the winter months. So, as the festive season rolls around, we all have to observe a Diwali, Dusehra, Eid and other festivals with masks and we have to avoid large gatherings. Small group celebrations should be encouraged so that we do not lose the advantage that we have gained over the past 11 days, ”said Paul.
In the last 11 days from September 19, India recorded higher daily recoveries than daily cases, except for two days.
The government expects these trends to continue and the COVID chart to begin to decline.
