AHMEDABAD: After the deadly second wave unleashed mayhem of disease and death in Ahmedabad recently, some 70% plus general population is reported to have developed antibodies against SARS-CoV2, according to preliminary results of the fifth seroprevalence survey carried out in last week of May and beginning of June by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).
More than 15,000 Amdavadis were part of the latest Covid sero-surveillance.
The fourth sero-survey for Covid-19 conducted in February 2021 had found only 28% had developed IgG antibodies against Covid-19.
In the first sero-survey conducted in the aftermath of the first wave in June 2020 had found only 18% to have developed antibodies.
Ahmedabad saw a peak of 5,790 cases on April 25, 2021 which was 16 times higher than the post-Dilwai surge in November-December last year.
Experts say high prevalence of antibodies indicates the highly infectious nature of the Delta variant– B.617.2- which was found to be more prevalent in Ahmedabad.
“Preliminary data of recent sero-survey carried out by the AMC indicate more than 70% population of Ahmedabad has developed antibodies against the virus.” ‘Vax, masks must be our first defence’The data is being further statistically analysed to remove errors or deviations by AMC health department.
It is expected to be put in public domain in next 10 days,” says a senior state health official.
Health officials said that Ahmedabad and its people cannot afford to let their guard down despite the spike in population with antibodies against Covid-19.
“Vaccination and masks will have to be city’s first defense against any further surges of Covid-19.
After the highly infective Delta variant attack, the citizens cannot afford to let their guard down against possible mutations.
We have to be prepared to fight against any possible surges,” said a senior health official.
It needs mention that in October 2020, the seroprevalence in the general population in Ahmedabad was 24.20%.
Then during the second half of August 2020, seropositivity was 23.24% while previous to that the first AMC run large scale sero-surveillance for Covid antibodies in June-July 2 revealed a seropositivity of 18%.
In previous serosurvey reports AMC health officials had revealed that Covid antibodies disappear after a few months.