Serosurvey in five Mumbai slums finds that 75% people have COVID-19 antibodies

A recent serosurvey conducted in five slums of Mumbai's Cuffe Pare area found that about 75% of people have tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. Out of total 806 patients tested during serosurvey, 605 h antibodies but only 1% reported being tested positive for COVID-19.  serosurvey was organised by Eyebetes foundation in collaboration with BJP corporator Harshita Narwekar for slum dwellers of ward. As per statement issued by Eyebetes foundation, slums surveyed in serosurvey were previously t covered by BMC study.

A previous seroprevalence survey conducted by BMC has shown 45% seroprevalence results in slums and 18% in building while this recent survey conducted between October 5 and 10 showed that a much higher percent, 75% of population tested positive for COVID-19 antibodies. A statement issued by foundation stated that out of 806 patients tested only 8 tested positive for COVID-19 in past which is just one percent.

"This means that eir 99 % of our cohort h an asymptomatic infection or that people are unwilling to share information about previous coronavirus infections. A total of 31 people – four percent – did t want to answer a question on wher y h coronavirus in past, pointing to stigma attached to virus," re statement.

"In most cases, males have a higher rate of seroprevalence. In our study higher rate for women could suggest that post lockdown, many more women may be congregating in slums, leing to a spike in infection," report furr ded. 

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Maharashtra extends Lockdown 

On Friday, Maharashtra government declared that COVID-19 induced lockdown in state will extend till midnight of December 31, 2020. Several lockdown restrictions have been eased over past few months to allow ecomic activities in state along with revised guidelines as a part of 'Mission Begin Again'. Earlier in vember, state government permitted reopening of places of worship as well as schools for classes 9th to 12th, across Maharashtra. On or hand, Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai and Panvel civic bodies deferred reopening of schools as COVID-19 cases continue to rise in state. 

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Maharashtra's COVID-19 tally 

Maharashtra has so far recorded over 18,14,515 positive cases, out of which 16,76,564 have successfully recovered while 46,986 have succumbed to virus. As per latest reports shared by MoHFW, in past 24 hours, 5,695 new cases, 3,937 fresh recoveries and 88 deaths have been reported. Currently, total number of active Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra is 90,965.

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(With inputs from ncies)