Seroprevalence of COVID-19 infection
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 19: A study conducted by the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar has revealed that 2.5% healthcare providers and 3.8% of the general population have developed antibodies for COVID-19.
Developing antibodies suggest that, at some point in time, the individual was exposed to the infection and has developed an immunity.
The study was conducted from 15 June to 15 July 2020 by the Department of Community Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Biochemistry, GMC Srinagar with institutional funding and support by District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Srinagar
Healthcare workers from all eight associated hospitals of GMC Srinagar, Government Dental College Srinagar, District Hospital Srinagar, and nine other Sub-District Hospitals/Primary Health Centers across District Srinagar were invited to participate, Dr S. Muhammad Salim Khan, HOD Community Medicine and Principal Investigator of the studies said.
“A total of 2914 blood samples of health care providers were analyzed for the presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA) by Abbott Laboratories. The test has high sensitivity and specificity for identification of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. The test provides information about past infection due to SARS-CoV-2,” Dr Sabiya Majid, HOD Biochemistry and Co-Principal Investigator said.
“Seventy-two HCWs were positive for IgG against SARS-CoV-2 giving a prevalence of 2.5%. Out of the 72 HCWs, 50 were male and 22 were female. Among HCWs who participated in the study, the prevalence was 2.7% among male HCWs and 2.1% among female HCWs. Of the IgG positive HCWs, 12 were above 60 years of age. The IgG positives included 27 doctors, 9 nurses, 10 technicians, 2 ambulance drivers, and 8 hospital security staff among others. 339 HCWs reported to have at least one contact with a known SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) positive case,” Dr Inaam ul Haq, Assistant Professor Community Medicine and the co-principal investigator said.
A total of 2923 blood samples were collected and transported to the laboratory for testing, under standard precautions. The samples were collected from people, >18 years of age, visiting 20 selected hospitals across District Srinagar plus three other sites in the District.
“The study participants were informed about the purpose of the study and written consent was taken from all the study participants. The study revealed that 3.8% (111 persons) of the population had the presence of IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2,” Dr Mariya Amin Qureshi, Assistant Professor Community Medicine and co-principal investigator of the study said.
Of the 111 IgG positives, 63 were males and 48 were females. The prevalence of IgG positives was 4.3% among males and 3.3% among females. 115 persons reported to have Influenza-like symptoms in the 4 weeks prior to the survey and out of them, 12.2% showed the presence of IgG antibodies.
IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 usually develop two weeks after the infection. Thus, the presence of IgG antibodies is indicative of past SARS-CoV-2 infection.
The results of this seroprevalence study show that, on an average, 3.8% of people in District Srinagar have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Given the current scenario of positive cases emerging from the District, it is expected that the seroprevalence may further increase in the near future.
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