VISAKHAPATNAM: The fourth round of sero survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in Andhra Pradesh has found increasing seroprevalence of Covid-19 infection in the community.
About 70% of study subjects, who were tested as part of the survey, were found to have developed antibodies against the novel coronavirus. ICMR conducted the survey in 70 districts in 21 states between June 14 and July 6. Krishna, Nellore and Vizianagaram were among the 70 districts.
While Madhya Pradesh leads the table with 79% seroprevalence, Kerala (44.4%) has the least antibodies among the surveyed states, which may partly explain the growing infection numbers there. The all-India average stood at about 67%.
As part of the survey, 1,260 random blood samples were collected from various groups in AP. As many as 885 people tested positive for IgG antibodies, which means they got exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 sometime in the past. This is the highest ever seroprevalence found in any sero survey conducted since the onset of the pandemic in March last year.
The state health department’s sero survey conducted in April 2021 had found that nearly 59% of surveyed people had developed antibodies, with urban population found to be more exposed to the novel coronavirus than their rural counterparts.
The earlier state-wide sero survey conducted in two phases had found that about 20% of the 5.4 crore population had been exposed to SARS-CoV-2, the Covid-19 causing virus.
State Covid-19 nodal officer Dr K Rambabu said the population-based sero surveys in representative samples are recommended to measure the prevalence of the infection in the community.
“Sero surveys give a peek into what percentage of the general population has been exposed and infected by the virus, who are at higher risk of getting infected, and areas where containment efforts need to be strengthened,” he said.
He again cautioned the public to adhere to Covid appropriate behaviour even after taking the vaccine.
“If we go by the infection numbers in Andhra Pradesh, the daily caseload has settled down to between 2,000 to 3,000 during the prolonged second wave. This itself is an alarming sign. Several Indian states have already started experiencing resurgence in cases, pointing to a probable third wave,” he noted.
