Serosurvey finds antibodies in 40.6 % people of Sgr city

Srinagar: The second round of National Sero-survey for SARS Cov-2 infection (Covid-19) study conducted in Srinagar city by the health department has revealed that 40.6 per cent of the population has the presence of the antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

While, one in every 15 individuals, or 6.6%, of people above the age of 10 years in India have been exposed to Sars-Cov2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease (Covid-19), till August, according to the findings of Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) second national serosurvey, which was released last month.

As per the details issued by the Government Medical College Srinagar, the second round of Seroprevalence study in district Srinagar showed that 40.6% of the sampled population developed antibodies when the study was conducted this month.

As per the data, the serosurvey was conducted in twenty clusters across Srinagar district coving both urban and rural areas. Among the 20 clusters, Khumaini Chowk showed the highest seroprevalence over 66.9 per cent. Whereas the seroprevalence was found more among women and the elderly population.

Further, around 82 per cent persons who had previously tested positive for COVID using rtPCR/ Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) showed IgG antibodies within their blood samples while surprisingly 37 per cent who have tested negative on rtPCR / RAT also showed the presence of antibodies against SARS CoV-2 Infection as per the data.

Dr Mohammad Salim Khan, Professor and HOD Community Medicine GMC Srinagar and Principal investigator of the study told TNN that study was conducted by Government Medical College Srinagar's Departments of Community Medicine and Biochemistry in collaboration with CMO Srinagar, Directorate of Health Services and supported by Jammu and Kashmir National Health Mission.

He added, “As many as 2,361 people were tested, out of which 1,335 were male and 1,026 were females. Whereas, out of 2,361 samples, 995 were tested positive for IgG against SARS-CoV-2, giving a seroprevalence of 40.6 per cent. Also, the seroprevalence was significantly higher among females (44.7%) as compared to males (37.5%)”.

He further said that the seroprevalence also increased significantly with age. Those with a history of ILI-symptoms in the previous three months, and those with a history of contact with a known COVID-19 case had higher seroprevalence as compared to their counterparts with no such history.

“Out of a total of 115 participants who reported having a positive COVID-19 test (RAT/RT-PCR) ever, 95 (82.6%) were seropositive. While as among the 432 participants who reported a negative COVID-19 test (RAT/RT-PCR), 159 (36.8%) were seropositive”, he added.

The present study showed a many-fold increase in Sero positivity among Srinagar population as compared to our previous study conducted in June this year where seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 Infection in “Srinagar district was just 3.8%. It shows that majority of the population has been exposed to SARS COV-2 virus and we shall still continue to follow SOPs religiously to prevent infection among vulnerable populations especially elderly and persons with co-morbidities”, he said.

“If we extrapolate the results of the study on general population of Srinagar district, we may presume that around 6 lac population must be expected to be seropositive to SARS COV-2 infection amongst 15 Lac populations in Srinagar district said, Dr Muhammad Salim Khan. He further added that serosurvey is undergoing in nine other districts of Kashmir division this time and their results are expected soon.

Earlier in the first round, the study conducted by Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has revealed that 2.5% of health workers and 3.8 per population in the city had a presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study was done for one month from 15 June to July 15, by the institute, to estimate the Sero-prevalence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.