Every Second Person in Delhi Infected With COVID-19, Latest Sero-survey Shows Signs of Herd Immunity
Posted on January 25th, 2021
By India.com News Desk
Experts say herd immunity is said to have been developed in a population segment if 50-60 per cent of those are found to have the presence of antibodies in a sero-prevalence survey.
New Delhi: The results of fifth round of sero-prevalence survey in the national capital indicate that people of Delhi could be heading towards attaining herd immunity against coronavirus infection
The survey has found that in one district, 50-60 per cent of the sampled population has developed antibodies to COVID-19, sources said on Monday. Also Read – Coronavirus in Kids: More Than One-Third COVID Kids Show no Symptoms
Delhi has a population of more than two crore, spread across 11 districts. For the current survey — conducted by the Delhi government in association with the National Centre for Disease Control — scientists had collected the samples of over 25,000 people from various districts across the city. Also Read – Coronavirus: Biden To Reinstate COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Lifted by Trump, Says White House Official
Official figures from the health ministry say only 6.33 lakh people have been found infected in Delhi. But the survey indicates that the total figure could be well over 1 crore, sources said.
In one district, the sero-prevalence rate is between 50-60 per cent, indicating a large number of people have developed antibodies, so we can say the city is moving towards attaining herd immunity,” a source said without disclosing the name of the district.
Experts say herd immunity is said to have been developed in a population segment if 50-60 per cent of those are found to have the presence of antibodies in a sero-prevalence survey.by TaboolaSponsored LinksYou May LikeOn 9th April 2021, you could become the owner of this fully furnished luxury London townhouse.OmazeIs bitcoin headed for the moon? Learn all about bitcoineToro
Herd immunity implies that in any set of people in a community, after becoming affected by the virus, a lot many of them become immune to it, on account of antibodies developed in response to it. And, hence, such people become a protective layer between the infected person and unaffected people, thereby breaking the chain of viral transmission.
This is the fifth such exercise that was conducted here, but the Delhi government has not given any official version on it.
The first sero-prevalence, done from June 27-July 10 by the Delhi government in association with the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), had used 21,387 samples and found that around 23 per cent of the people surveyed had an exposure to the novel coronavirus.
The exercise in August showed 29.1 per cent people had antibodies. Also, 79 of 257 people who had tested COVID-19 positive and then recovered, and were part of the sero-prevalence survey done in the first week of August, however, did not have the antibodies against the virus, according to a report released later.
In the survey in September and October, the figures stood at 25.1 per cent and 25.5 per cent in October.
The exercises were undertaken for a comprehensive assessment of the COVID-19 situation in Delhi and to formulate strategies based on its findings.
Health Minister Satyendar Jain recently said the pandemic situation in the city is now under control.
Delhi recorded 148 fresh COVID-19 cases on Monday, the lowest in nine months, even as the positivity rate stood at 0.31 per cent.
This is also the the fourth time, the number of daily cases has stood below the 200-mark in January.
The infection tally in the city rose to 6.34 lakh and the death toll mounted to 10,813 with five new fatalities, authorities said on Monday.