According To Recent Tests, One In Four Indians May Have COVID-19 Antibodies

In what can be considered good news during the pandemic, one in every four Indians possibly has antibodies to fight coronavirus. This was the conclusion drawn after COVID-19 tests were conducted by a national-level private laboratory, reported TOI.

Also, surveys done at city level by various civic corporations and some of the country's best research organisations (TIFR, IISER) shows encouraging results. Over 50 per cent seropositivity was reported in Pune on Monday. Mumbai reported 57 per cent seropositivity in slum areas; Delhi's first survey showed 23 per cent of tested people were seropositive. Another survey's results are on their way this week.

TOI

Even though it still hasn't been confirmed whether this is short or long term immunity, when many in the community have antibodies it could lead to herd immunity. Presently, India has not reached the herd immunity stage yet as 60-70 per cent of the population should ideally have antibodies or exposure to the virus to achieve it.

However, according to experts. it is believed that Indian localities, suburbs or cities could be closer to herd immunity as compared to other countries.

A clear example of this is Dharavi in Mumbai which was the country's worst hotspot in April-May. The slum area recorded near-zero transmission for the last two months. Maharasthra COVID task force member Dr Shashank Joshi said, ¡°India is the only country with areas showing such high seropositivity. Clearly, Indians are immunologically stronger."

ET

The countrywide antibody tests carried out by Thyrocare laboratory show high levels of seropositivity at local levels. Managing director Arokiaswamy Velumani said almost 24 per cent of the two lakh plus people tested across the country so far have antibodies to COVID-19.

Around 29 per cent of Delhi¡¯s tested population and 20 per cent in Maharashtra are seropositive, he added.

Also read: Study: Herd Immunity Possible Even If Just 43% Of Population Is Immune To COVID-19

AFP

Dr Giridhara Babu, a Bangalore-based epidemiologist believes that cities like Delhi and Mumbai will achieve herd immunity first, and the Tier 2 and 3 cities will follow in their footsteps. ¡°We have 39 deaths per million population across India. In metros such as Delhi and Mumbai, this figure goes up to 200. But the West has recorded almost 600 deaths per million population."

So what has contributed to India¡¯s supposedly ¡®better¡¯ fight against the coronavirus? It is believed that since India is a 'young country', it has a better chance at fighting the novel pandemic.

¡°The average age of Indians is 29 years while it is 45 years in the US,¡± said Dr Babu.

A doctor from a Mumbai hospital believes that hygiene hypothesis is the reason Indians can fight the virus. He said, ¡°We Indians have been exposed to so many microorganisms that we have a better immune response,¡± he said.

TOI

Presently, India has had a total of 2,768,670 cases out of which 53,026 have died and 2,038,585 recovered from the disease.