New Delhi (NVI): The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) today said the third nationwide sero survey has showed that a large proportion of the population still remains vulnerable to Covid-19.
Overall 21.5 per cent of the population was found to be exposed to COVID-19 infection which includes 31.7 per cent from urban slum, 26.2 per cent from urban non-slum and 19.1 per cent from rural areas.
While addressing a media briefing, DG ICMR, Balram Bhargava, said, “The 3rd sero survey was done from Dec 17, 2020 to Jan 8, 2021. A general population of 28,589 individuals were included & another group of 7,171 healthcare workers were also included. Above the age of 18 years, the sero-prevalance was 21.4 per cent.”
“Amongst healthcare workers, sero-prevalence was highest overall with 25.7 per cent. Statistically it was not different between doctors, nurses, field staff & paramedics, but it was highest among doctors and nurses with 26.6 per cent as against the administrative staff which was 24.9 per cent,” Bhargava added.
Presenting these findings to the media, Bhargava stressed that people cannot afford to be complacent in taking COVID-19 precaution measures as a large proportion of the population is still vulnerable.
Meanwhile, with 12,899 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India’s COVID-19 tally of cases rose to 1,07,90,183, while the recoveries surged to 1,04,80,455, according to the Union Health Ministry data.
Furthermore, the death toll increased to 1,54,703 with 107 new fatalities,
-CHK
