Presenting the nationwide sero-survey at a press conference, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said that 6.6% of the 29,082 people (aged 10 and over) surveyed from August 17 to August 22 September showed evidence of past exposure to Covid-19 and 7.1% of the adult population (18 years and older) also showed evidence of past exposure to it.
“However, a large percentage of the population remains unexposed, and there is a potential for a considerable portion of people to become infected,” he added.
He said that lockdown, containment and behavior change at the population level have effectively verified the possible spread of SARS-CoV2, yet the survey findings show that a sizeable population remains vulnerable and susceptible to the coronavirus.
The second survey was conducted in the same 700 villages and districts of 70 districts in 21 states as the first survey. The results of the second survey also showed that urban slums and non-slum areas had a higher prevalence of infection than rural areas.
“The new (survey) shows lockdown and containment measures, as well as behavioral changes at the population level, controlled the spread of SARS-CoV-2,” Bhargava said.
He further said that the risk in urban slums was twice that in non-slum urban areas and four times higher than in rural areas.
“Urban slums (15.6 percent) and non-slum areas (8.2 percent) had a higher prevalence of SARS-COV2 infection than in rural areas (4.4 percent),” he said, citing the second sero-survey.
“It was estimated that one in 15 people 10 years of age or older would be exposed to SARS-CoV2 in August 2020,” Bhargava said.
The first serosurvey in May 2020 revealed that the nationwide prevalence of novel coronavirus infection was only 0.73%.
The second survey further showed that there is a lower proportion of infections by cases in August compared to May, reflecting a substantial increase in testing and detection across India.
Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that India has 4,453 Covid-19 cases and 70 deaths per million inhabitants, which is among the lowest in the world.
NITI Aayog member VK Paul urged people to follow appropriate Covid behavior, saying there is no reason to relax if stability is observed in coronavirus cases.
“We need to have Puja, Chhath, Diwali and Eid with masks, it is very important to keep that in mind. We have seen a second peak in Delhi, Kerala and Punjab, so we should not relax and follow the appropriate Covid behavior,” he said .
“People are more prone to respiratory infections such as pneumonia and influenza in the coming winter months and holiday seasons and” we have to do our best, remain vigilant, and diligently follow appropriate Covid behavior, “Paul said.
.
