40 crore people are still at risk, says sero survey by ICMR
The fourth round of the national sero survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that covered 70 districts across 21 States in June-July showed that two-thirds of the country’s population aged above six has developed antibodies against the coronavirus. The findings imply that a third of the population did not have antibodies against the Covid-19 which means that about 40 crore Indians are still vulnerable to the virus.
Releasing the findings of the survey, the Director-General, ICMR, Dr Balram Bhargava, said on Tuesday that the latest national sero survey included children between six and 17 years of age and it was found that two-third of the general population, i.e., above the age of six years had SARS-CoV-2 infection. This was the first time that children above six years were included in the national sero prevalence survey.
The highest sero-prevalence was found in the age group 45-60 years (77.6 per cent), followed by those above 60 years (76.7 per cent) and those in the age group 18-44 years (66.7 per cent). In the survey, children were divided into two age groups: 6-9 years and 10-17 years. Sero-prevalence in the 6-9 years category was 57.2 per cent and in the 10-17 years category, it was 61.6 per cent.
Dr Bhargava said implications of the fourth sero survey clearly showed that there was a ray of hope, but no room for complacency. “We must maintain Covid-appropriate behaviour and community engagement. The national-level sero survey is not a substitute of the State/district-level sero surveys,” he added.
The survey has found that more than 50 per cent of children aged 6-17 years have been exposed to Covid-19 and have developed antibodies against it. Besides children, the survey also covered 100 healthcare workers in each district. The survey found that among adults, 13 per cent people have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine. The highest sero-prevalence was found among this section of the population.
He said there was no difference in sero-prevalence in men and women and rural and urban areas. "Among those who have not received any vaccine against the virus, the sero-prevalence was 62.3 per cent, while those with one dose of the jab, it was 81 per cent. In those who received both the doses, it was 89.8 per cent," Dr Bhargava said. The survey covered 28,975 members of the general population and 7,252 healthcare workers.
On the reopening of schools, Dr Bhargava said that once India starts reopening schools, it will be wise to being with the primary section as children have a lower number of ace receptors to which the virus attaches, making them much better at handling viral infections than adults. He, however, stressed that for such a step to be considered, it must be ensured that schoolteachers and other support staff members are vaccinated.
Asked about opening of schools since cases have declined in many districts, Bhargava said children can handle viral infection much better than adults and it has also been established that they have a lower number of ace receptors.
