Delhi Sero-survey results | Fusion - WeRIndia

The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) conducted a survey in Delhi to know the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies in the general population.

The serological survey results revealed that over 23 per cent of the population has IgG antibodies. This indicates that around one-quarter of the population in Delhi is infected by the novel coronavirus and most of them remain asymptomatic.

The survey was conducted from 27 June 2020, to 10 July 2020 to identify the population that has antibodies and 21,387 samples were collected from 11 districts. The samples were selected randomly. They were tested as per the prescribed standards.

The serological survey has been conducted on the decision of a high-level expert committee led by NITI Aayog member Dr V K Paul and AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria. Other members are from NCDC and Delhi government.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said that it is a proactive effort taken by the government to control the spread of infection.

It also said the government implemented strict lockdown, effective containment and surveillance measures like contact tracing.

It added that despite a dense population in Delhi and six months into the epidemic, only a few per cent of the population has been infected by the coronavirus.

Since the majority of the people remain asymptomatic, strict preventive measures like a use face mask, physical distancing, and handwashing have to be continued with thorough care. Containment measures have to be followed strictly.

currently, the Delhi government is following RT-PCR and antigen testing to diagnose COVID-19. The antibody test is not a diagnostic test, but it reveals the antibodies formed in people that have been infected with it. Sero-surveillance provides significant evidence to evaluate the spread of infection over time.

Image Credit: Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission Belur Math / Public domain

Image Reference: https://www.flickr.com/photos/belurmath/49904255313