Second Sero Survey results of ICMR: Key Findings

September 30, 2020

On September 29, 2020, the Indian Council of Medical Research released a report on second sero survey findings. The survey was conducted in 700 villages from 21 states. The Government of India recommends to follow 5T strategy called Test, Track, Trace, Treat and Technology to be followed to prevent susceptibility.

Key Findings

  • According to the report, 7.1% of adult (18 years and above) were exposed to COVID-19 virus. This is a massive increase as compared to the first survey. 0.73% were exposed according to the first survey
  • One in fifteen individuals of age 10 years and above are estimated to be exposed to COVID-19.
  • Containment and Behavioural change among the people have checked the potential spread of COVID-19.

Slums and Rural Areas

Under Slums and non-slum areas had higher prevalence of the virus than the rural areas. Sero prevalence was found in 15.6% of people in urban slums. It was 8.2% in non-slum areas and 4.4% in rural areas. The first survey found that the sero prevalence was the highest in rural areas. The first survey reported that the prevalence was 69.4% in rural areas, 15.9% in urban slums and 14.6% in urban non-slums.

Metropolitan Cities

Mumbai showed the highest sero prevalence with 57.8% of samples testing positive. Delhi recorded 29.1% sero prevalence. This is higher than the 23.1% that was recorded in the first survey.

Following Delhi, Puducherry of Tamil Nadu had the next highest prevalence of 22.7%. Chennai recorded 21.5%, Ahmedabad 17.6% and Indore registered 7.8%.

Current Scenario

India currently has more than 61 lakh confirmed cases. Around 70,000 were detected in the last 24 hours (on September 29, 2020 alone).

About the survey

The survey was conducted through RT-PCR based tests, ELISA tests. The survey tests blood serum of individuals and checks for antibodies in the samples. The survey collects venous blood samples. Veins in human body impure blood (deoxygenated) and arteries carry pure blood (oxygenated blood).

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