4th round of Sero-Survey 61.2 pc people in Pulwama distt developed antibodies

Wajahat Shabir. Updated: 7/24/2021 10:30:04 AM Front Page

SRINAGAR: Over 61.2 per cent of the population above the age of 6 years and 81.1 per cent of health workers in Pulwama district have sero-prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.
The findings of the sero-survey were revealed during the fourth round of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) population-based sero survey.
The ICMR conducted the fourth round of National sero-survey for COVID-19 in June 2021, in the same 70 districts in which the first three rounds were conducted which included Pulwama district. The survey covered general population aged 6 years and above and Health Care Workers working in district hospitals of these districts.
As per the study, the nation-wide sero prevalence is around 67.6% in the general population while in health care providers, it stands at 85.2%. The sero-prevalence has been found much higher among vaccinated persons at 89.8% among fully vaccinated persons as against 62.3% among unvaccinated subjects, the study reads.
Talking to The News Now, Dr. S. Muhammad Salim Khan, HOD Community Medicine and Nodal Officer for Pulwama study by ICMR said, “The findings of the serosurvey show 61.2% zero positive among the general population, while the health care providers showed a whopping 81.1% sero positive response to COVID infection in Pulwama district”.
He added, “In last three rounds conducted in 2020 by ICMR in Pulwama district, the sero-prevalence of SARS CoV-2 infection among general population was found to be 2%, 27.3% and 31.5% respectively during the months of May-June, August-September and December. This fourth round has important significance due to widespread infection during the second COVID-19 wave and the vaccination drive against SARS CoV-2 infection among the adult population during last 5-6 months”.
He added that the survey was conducted in the Pulwama district through Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Srinagar during the third week of June with full support from administration and health workers during which 430 blood samples were collected across already designated 10 cluster and 106 samples from health care providers in district Pulwama.
The study was coordinated by ICMR’s National Institute of Epidemiology and facilitated by the National Institute of Research on Tuberculosis Chennai, he added.
A similar study is underway across all ten districts of Kashmir, where samples are taken from children, adults and pregnant women among the general population, health care providers and police personnel to ascertain sero prevalence among these different strata of the population. We are expecting results of pan Kashmir district-wise study in 3-4 weeks, which shall guide the policy makers in decision making about COVID management and protocols said Dr S. Muhammad Salim Khan.


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