ICMR's second sero-survey findings released on Tuesday has revealed that one in 15 individuals aged 10 years and above were estimated to be exposed to SARS-CoV2 by August, showing that a considerable population is still susceptible to COVID-19.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''Briefing media on Tuesday, DG ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava said, 6.6 per cent of&nbsp; over 29 thousand people, aged 10 and above, surveyed from 17th August to 22nd September showed evidence of past exposure to COVID-19 and 7.1 per cent of the adult population, aged 18 and above, also showed evidence of past exposure to it.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''He said lockdown, containment and behavioural change at the population level have effectively checked the potential spread of SARS-CoV2.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''Dr Bhargava said the risk in urban slums was twice than that in non-slum urban areas and four times the risk in rural settings.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''He said, the second sero-survey was conducted in the same 700 villages and wards from 70 districts from 21 states which were covered during the first survey.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''But this time, it surveyed different households and individuals.<br />''&nbsp;<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">The ICMR DG said, since a large proportion of the population is still susceptible, prevention fatigue has to be avoided and the 5T strategy — test, track, trace, treat, technology — has to be adhered to.</span><br />
News On AIR | September 30, 2020 8:14 AM
Urban slum & non-slum areas have higher prevalence of Corona infection than rural areas, says 2nd Sero Survey report