Urban slum & non-slum areas have higher prevalence of Corona infection than rural areas, says 2nd Sero Survey report
Sep 30, 2020 |
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8:14AM |
Urban slum & non-slum areas have higher prevalence of Corona infection than rural areas, says 2nd Sero Survey report
Briefing media on Tuesday, DG ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava said, 6.6 per cent of 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.
He said lockdown, containment and behavioural change at the population level have effectively checked the potential spread of SARS-CoV2.
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.
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.
But this time, it surveyed different households and individuals.
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.