This story is from November 27, 2020

1 in 5 persons in 11 high-load UP districts has Covid antibodies

A sero-surveillance survey undertaken by the state government in September has revealed that Covid-19 antibodies were found in 22.1% of the persons investigated across 11 high burden districts, including Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Varanasi. This means nearly 78% of the population in the state could still be vulnerable to the novel coronavirus, believe experts.
1 in 5 persons in 11 high-load UP districts has Covid antibodies
Picture used for representational purpose only
LUCKNOW: A sero-surveillance survey undertaken by the state government in September has revealed that Covid-19 antibodies were found in 22.1% of the persons investigated across 11 high burden districts, including Lucknow, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Varanasi. This means nearly 78% of the population in the state could still be vulnerable to the novel coronavirus, believe experts.
Additional chief secretary, health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad shared the findings of the survey which revealed that at least one out of five persons in these 11 districts may have been infected with the coronavirus.

A sero-survey involves testing of blood serum of a group of individuals. In case of Covid-19, sero-surveys look for the presence of antibodies against the pandemic virus.
They aid in improvising existing containment strategy to further curb the spread and save lives.Public health researchers and epidemiologist Dr Vishwajeet and Aarti Kumar told TOI that the outcomes underscore the need for ‘extra caution during the winter season’ against the coronavirus which thrives on low temperature and low humidity.
“Assuming that the findings are based on scientifically robust sampling and testing methods, the biggest take away from the survey is that nearly 78% of the people are still vulnerable to the infection,” he said, adding, “though only 11 districts were covered in the survey, majority of these districts are the high burden districts of UP.”
Both ACS Prasad and Dr Kumar cautioned against the virus over the next few weeks. “A surge in cases is expected over the winter months and prevention is the only tool we have in our hands,” said Prasad. The two repeated what Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath have been reiterating almost every day.

“Trends from the US and Europe have indicated that the virus thrives on low temperature and low humidity levels which are characteristic of the winters in UP too. The human tendency to live in confined and closed places will aid the viral spread, the risk of which is furthered by factors like air pollution and lack of sunlight. The fact that the human respiratory system is more vulnerable to infections during winter months makes it also a contributing factor,” Dr Kumar said.
Earlier, Prasad had said that samples of more than 16,000 healthy persons were collected in the survey conducted in Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Baghpat, Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Lucknow and Meerut. All the samples were tested by a team of microbiology departments at King George’s Medical University.
Meanwhile, 2,237 fresh cases took the state's Covid-19 tally to 5.35 lakh on Thursday. The number of recoveries reached 5.02 lakh with 1,518 new entries. The state also recorded the death of 30 persons which took the total Covid-19 casualties to 7674. Health officials also noted that the number of active infections in the state also crossed 25,000 mark to reach 25,422.
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About the Author
Shailvee Sharda

Journalist with the Times of India since August 2004, Shailvee Sharda writes on Health, Culture and Politics. Having covered the length and breadth of UP, she brings stories that define elements like human survival and its struggle, faiths, perceptions and thought processes that govern the decision making in everyday life, during big events such as an election, tangible and non-tangible cultural legacy and the cost and economics of well-being. She keenly follows stories that celebrate hope and life in general.

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