New Delhi (NVI): A serological study conducted across Delhi shows that on an average 23.48 per cent of the population has the prevalence of IgG antibodies, the Union Health Ministry said.
The study was conducted by National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) across 11 districts of the national capital, also indicates that a large number of infected persons remain asymptomatic, a statement of Health Ministry said. The study was conducted from June 27 and July 10.
In a official statement ministry said that, it has been commissioned a sero-surveillance study in Delhi. This study has been done by the NCDC in collaboration with Delhi state government, following a rigorous multi-stage sampling study design from June 27 July 10, across 11 districts of Delhi.
Moreover, blood samples were collected from selected individuals after taking written informed consent and then their sera were tested for IgG antibodies and infection using COVID KAVACH ELISA approved by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR).
The ministry also informed that, with 21,387 samples collected it is one of the largest sero-prevalence studies conducted in the country using the ELISA testing.
Therefore, the tests done help in identification of presence of antibodies in the general population. These test performed is not a diagnostic test but only provides information about past infection due to SARSCoV-2 in individuals who test positive.
“Antibody testing repeatedly done over time i.e. sero-surveillance, generates important evidence for assessing the spread of the pandemic from time to time,” the ministry said.
The statement further mentions, “Nearly six months into the epidemic, only 23.48 per cent of the people are affected in Delhi,which has several pockets of dense population.”
“This can be attributed to the proactive efforts taken by the government to prevent the spread of infection including prompt lockdown,effective containment and surveillance measures, including contact tracing and tracking, as well as citizen’s compliance to COVID appropriate behaviours,” it added.
The ministry, however, said the results show that a significant proportion of the population is still vulnerable to the virus.
“Containment measures need to continue with the same rigour. Non-pharmacological interventions such as physical distancing, use of face mask or cover, hand hygiene, cough etiquette and avoidance of crowded places etc.,must be followed strictly,” it added.
-RJV
