New Delhi (NVI): One in 15 individuals aged more than 10 years were estimated to be exposed to Covid-19 by August 2020, according to the Indian Council Medical Research’s (ICMR) second national sero-survey report.
“Of 29,082 people surveyed from August 17 to September 22, 6.6% showed evidence of past exposure to SARS-COV2,” Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR said stating the sero report.
Bhargava, while speaking at the health ministry presser today, also added that according to the second sero survey report, urban slum and urban non-slum areas had higher SARS CoV 2 infection prevalence than that of rural areas.
“Risk in urban slums twice than that in non-slum areas and 4 times the risk in rural setting,” the report stated.
“Since a large portion of the population is yet susceptible, prevention fatigue is to be avoided and 5T strategy (Test, Track, Trace, Treat & Technology) is to be adhered to,” Dr Bhargava emphasised.
ICMR sero-survey finding stated that 7.1 per cent of adult population showed evidence of past exposure to COVID-19.
Lower infection to case ratio in August compared to May reflects substantial increase in testing and detection.
During the presser, the ministry also added that ICMR’s second Sero Survey report revealed that a considerable population is still vulnerable to Covid-19.
The ministry also added that in the light of the upcoming festivities, winter season and mass gathering, inventive containment strategies need to be implemented by the states.
-CHK
