In India's second-most populous city, Mumbai, up to nine in every ten people has antibodies against COVID-19, according to the results of the latest sero-survey by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai.
The fifth sero-survey conducted in the BMC's jurisdiction has found antibodies in 90.26 per cent of people who were fully or partially vaccinated, and in 79.86 per cent of unvaccinated citizens. The overall sero-prevalence in the city of Greater Mumbai is 86.64 per cent.
Prevalence of antibodies in people from slum as well as non-slum areas much higher compared to previous sero-surveys.
The study was cross-sectional in nature and included participants above 18 years of age, from all 24 wards of the city of Greater Mumbai, the MCGM said in a release
"Overall Sero-prevalence in the city of Greater Mumbai is 86.64 per cent. The study estimates around 87.02 per cent prevalence in slums and 86.22 per cent prevalence in non-slums in the 24 wards. Sero-prevalence among males is 85.07 per cent and sore-prevalence among females is 88.29 per cent which is higher as compared to males. Almost 65 per cent of the study subjects received COVID-19 vaccine and 35 per cent did not receive any vaccine. "
"Sero-prevalence amongst partially and fully vaccinated participants is 90.26 per cent. Sero-prevalence amongst those who have not taken COVID-19 vaccine is 79.86 per cent. Out of total samples, 20 per cent were health care workers. Seri-prevalence in health care workers is 87.14 per cent. The age-wise sore-prevalence varies from 80 per cent to 91 per cent among the study subjects."
The report notes that overall sero-positivity to the extent of 86 per cent is based on qualitative test results and does not indicate protective levels of IgG antibodies. "It is therefore recommended to continue to strictly follow COVID appropriate behaviour" including using masks correctly, washing hands frequently and maintaining social distancing."
An earlier sero-survey had found that over 50 per cent of Greater Mumbai's pediattric population (those below and up to the age of 18) had antibodies against COVID-19.
Maharashtra as a whole was reporting 3,783 cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday,. Mumbai reported a test-positive rate of just 1.71 per cent with 514 new COVID-19 cases.