AIIMS-WHO jointly conducted a serosurvey in these areas, positivity rate 62.3 percent

AIIMS, New Delhi led the WHO-AIIMS seroprevalence study, Principal Investigator of Research in Community Medicine, AIIMS, Dr. Puneet Mishra. Abseroprevalence study has been done in Delhi, Ballabhgarh (Faridabad), Gorakhpur, Bhubaneshwar, and Agartala. This includes both urban and rural areas. 4509 people were included in the study, out of which 2811 were found to be seropositive. That is, 62.3% is the seropositivity rate.

Study highlights

- The resettlement colony in the urban area of ​​South Delhi, which has a very congested population, had a seroprevalence of 74.7% even before the second wave (highest reported in any sero-assessment).

In South Delhi, 73.9% seroprevalence was found in the 0-18 age group (school going) age group as compared to people above 18 years of age.

There may be more seroprevalence after a strong second wave in these areas of Delhi and NCR especially Faridabad. Presumably, these levels of seroprevalence may be protective against any 'third wave'.

Also, opening schools in Delhi's congested urban areas, since there is already a high prevalence among children, may not be a very risky proposition after all.

Also during the second wave, Faridabad rural area has a seroprevalence of 59.3% (nearly equal in both age groups), which can be considered higher as compared to previous national surveys.

- Gorakhpur Rural has a very high prevalence rate of 87.9%. There is 80.6% in the age group of 2 to 18 years and 90.3% in the above 18 years. Such seroprevalence is expected to make these levels less likely than any "third wave".

These findings can partly explain the rise in cases and the sharp decline in COVID-19 cases in both Delhi and UP.

Overall, evidence of infection has been found in more than half of the surveyed rural population i.e. 62.3%.

- Agartala rural areas had the least seroprevalence of 51.9%, probably because it also included some tribal populations, which generally have low mobility, resulting in lower chances of COVID19 infection.

People from different areas were included for this seroprevalence study, including children.

- A study was conducted on 1001 people in urban areas, out of which 748 were found to be seropositive i.e. 74.7% had seroprevalence. There were 909 above 18 years of age, out of which 680 were found to be seropositive while 92 were below the age of 18 years and 68 were found to be seropositive in the study.

Similarly, a study was conducted on 3508 people in rural areas, out of which 2,063 were found to be seropositive, i.e. 58.8% had seroprevalence. Of this, 2,900 above 18 years of age, 1,741 were seropositive, while in the study of 608 people below the age of 18 years, 322 were seropositive.

A study has been done on 1001 people in the urban areas of Delhi, in which 92 were found to be seropositive under the age of 18, that is, the seropositivity rate in this age group is 73.9%. Similarly, 680 out of 909 who are above 18 years of age were found to be seropositive i.e. 74.8%.

A study was conducted on 1099 people in Ballabhgarh rural area of ​​Faridabad falling in Delhi NCR region, out of which 626 people were found to be seropositive. In this, there were 189 under the age of 18, out of which 116 were found to be seropositive i.e. 61.4%. At the same time, out of 870 people above 18 years of age, 512 were seropositive i.e. 58.8%. The seropositivity of both the age groups together is 59.3%.

This study was done on one thousand people in Bhubaneshwar Rural, out of which 526 i.e. 52.6% people were seropositive. Of the 165 below the age of 18, 75 were seropositive. Whereas 451 seropositive were found out of 835 above 18 years of age.

- In Gorakhpur rural area, 448 people were included in the study, and out of this 394 were found to be seropositive, i.e. 87.9% seropositivity was found here. In the age group, 87 out of 108 people below the age of 18 years and 307 out of 340 people above 18 years of age came seropositive. That is, the seropositivity rate was found to be 80.6% at the age of fewer than 18 years and 90.3% in the above.

In Agartala rural area, 1001 people salivated in this study, in which 520 people came seropositive, that is, 51.9% is seropositivity. Of the 146 children below the age of 18, 45 came seropositive. At the same time, out of 855 people above 18 years of age, 475 people have come seropositive.

Overall, 4509 people from different areas were included in the study, out of which 2811 were found to be seropositive. That is, 62.3% is the seropositivity rate.