New Delhi (NVI): More than 29 per cent population in Delhi have developed antibodies against COVID-19, shows the second sero-prevalence survey conducted in Delhi in the first week of August.
The results of the second serological survey, carried out in Delhi from August 1 to 7, were announced by Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain today.
“29.1 percent prevalence has been found in the second sero-survey . A total of 15,000 samples were collected during the survey,” Satyendar Jain said.
The exercise was conducted for a comprehensive assessment of the COVID-19 situation in Delhi.
As per the latest sero survey the antibodies against the coronavirus are present among 29.1 per cent residents of Delhi. These include 32.2 per cent women and 28.3 per cent men and it excludes those who were part the previous exercise.
A total of 15,000 samples were collected during the survey, covering different areas and age groups. These representative samples were taken from all 11 districts of the national capital.
Notably, Delhi’s first sero-prevalence survey, conducted from June 27 to July 10, found that over 23 per cent population in the national capital, had an exposure to the coronavirus. The other two rounds are scheduled in the first weeks of September and October.
Satyendar Jain also said, the fresh survey was undertaken to find out the situation in Delhi since the previous sampling so that better decisions can be made to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.
He added that there is a possibility that when migrants return, there may be an increase in the number of infections.
Furthermore, the sero surveys conducted in other states have detected high antibody positivity rates among the population in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi and low rates in primarily rural states such as Bihar, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
Delhi now has a total of 1,56,139 COVID-19 cases. Of these, 1,40,767 patients have been cured and discharged. So far, 4,235 people have died from virus in the national capital.
-RJV