In Chennai, one-fifth of population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection
Posted on: 02/Sep/2020 9:33:36 AM
On Tuesday, 1st September, GCC stated that one-fifth of the Chennai population was exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. This was based on the seroprevalence survey done in Chennai city.
As per the preliminary finding of the report it was clear that still 80% of the population is still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Chennai city. It must be noted that the serosurvey was conducted by a team of experts from ICMR and National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis.
From 18th July to 28th July 2020, Chennai Corporation has collected random samples from as many as 12405 persons belonging to 51 wards covering 15 zones of GCC. It was brought out by the survey that out of the tested individuals as many as 2673 had evidence of past SARS- CoV-2 infection with an unweighted seroprevalence of 21.5 %.
Tondiarpet zone topped with prevalence of 44.2% and it was followed by Royapuram zone with prevalence of 34.4%. It is a well known fact that Royapuram zone was a major hotspot of Coronavirus cases in Chennai city.
Prevalence of 7.1% was present in Madhavaram zone and Perungudi zone had 7.3%. When compared to other zones of GCC, the zones present in the north Chennai had higher prevalence of antibodies and this was responsible for the steady reduction in the number of Coronavirus cases. This was pointed out by Mr. G. Prakash, Chennai Corporation commissioner.
He added that it was a natural process where the transmission speed would reduce in high prevalence zones.
One in four persons was immune to SARS-CoV-2 infection in the survey that was taken 35 days back. This was found in the survey. It is believed that if the survey is conducted today then the prevalence would be much higher. Mr. Prakash highlighted that the data would help GCC to concentrate more on the zones where the prevalence is less.
