Nearly 1.5 Lakh People In Odisha's Berhampur Exposed To COVID-19

Bhubaneswar: The community-based Sero-Survey conducted by Odisha government in Berhampur revealed that around 31 % individuals were infected with COVID-19 and anti-bodies were found present in them.

Under the survey, samples of randomly-selected individuals from the community, five slums, high-risk groups were tested to evaluate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the population. Antibody tests were conducted on 2,830 persons during the sero-survey conducted from August 3 to 7.

The sero survey was conducted jointly by Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), MKCG hospital and Berhampur Municipal Corporation (BeMC).

What Is Sero Survey

As per official sources, in a sero survey  blood serum of a group of individuals is collected to determine the presence of antibodies against an infection.

“From the survey, we found sero prevalence in the community at 31% which implies that one-third of the people had developed anti-bodies for the infection,” said RMRC Director, Sanghamitra Pati.

Apart from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, Berhampur is one of the worst-hit COVID-19 cities of the State. The total COVID-19 cases in Berhampur Municipal Corporation area stood at 2,494 as on August 12 including 357 active cases. The total recoveries stood at 2,096 and while the city has reported 41 deaths.

RMRC Director Pati further informed that the sero prevalence ranged 7 % in some wards while it was as high as 60% in other wards. In four wards, 50 % of the samples showed that people had developed antibodies.

“In urban slums, 35 %of people had developed antibodies. Nearly 90 % those whose antibody tests were found positive showed no major COVID-19 symptoms. Nearly 1.5 lakh people were exposed to coronavirus and developed antibodies,” RMRC Director added.

According to the RMRC director, the sero prevalence among high-risk groups was 23% and infection fatality rate was 0.02 %.The sero survey report corresponds to the COVID-19 infection status four weeks back, she added.

High Risk Groups

People above 60 years of age.
Those having underlying non-communicable diseases (NCDs): diabetes, hypertension, cardiac
disease, chronic lung disease, cerebro-vascular disease, chronic kidney disease,
immune-suppression and cancer

(Edited By Bikram Keshari Jena)

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