Pune: The serological survey conducted by Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) has revealed that there is 51.5 per cent seroprevalence in the five high-incidence wards of Pune city. The prevalence ranged from 36.1 per cent in Kasba Peth and Somwar Peth areas to 65.4 per cent in Lohiya Nagar and Kasewadi areas.
The total population covered under this first serosurvey was 3,66,984 of which 1664 samples were collected by the epidemiologists. The collection period was July 20 to August 5. Of the total samples, 861 were taken from men and 803 samples were taken from women candidates. It was observed that there is not much difference in the prevalence of COVID-19 in men and women of Pune city.
SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody seroprevalence in five high-incidence wards of Pune city
|
Ward number
|
Number |
Prevalence of Seropositivity (%) |
95 % CI
|
|
Prabhag 6 Yerwada
|
367 |
56.6 |
51.5 to 61.7 |
|
Prabhag 16 Kasbapeth-Somwarpeth
|
352 |
36.1 |
31.1 to 41.1 |
|
Prabhag 17 Rastapeth-Raviwarpeth
|
335 |
45.7 |
40.4 to 51.0 |
|
Prabhag 19 Lohiya Nagar-Kasewadi
|
312 |
65.4 |
60.1 to 70.9 |
|
Prabhag 29 Navipeth-Parvati
|
298 |
56.7 |
51.1 to 62.3 |
|
Overall Average
|
1664 |
51.5 |
49.1 to 53.9 |
The survey was conducted by IISER along with Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). Persistent Foundation provided funding of Rs 75 lakh for this and future surveys to be conducted in the city.
The findings of this survey were announced by Pune Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao, IISER's Prof Shashidhar and Prof Arnab Ghosh and SPPU's Prof Arti Agarkar in a press conference on Monday evening.
Dr Ghosh said, "There are deep implications of these findings on the clinical management of COVID-19 in the city. 51 per cent seroprevalence does not mean that those persons in whom the antibodies were found will be protected from the coronavirus infection in the future.
Prof Shashidhar said, "We still do not have a clear picture of how many people are affected by COVID-19 in the city. The number of COVID-19 positive patients in Pune is still high and there is a strong possibility of a second wave in the city."
Rao said, "One positive finding from this survey has been that prevalence in senior citizens is very less as compared to others and that is a relief for us."
The gender-wise estimate of seropositivity
|
Gender |
Number |
Prevalence of seropositivity (%) |
95% CI |
|
Men |
861 |
52.8 |
49.5 to 56.1 |
|
Women |
803 |
50.1 |
46.6 to 53.6 |
An estimate of seropositivity across age groups
|
Age |
Number |
Prevalence of seropositivity |
95% CI |
|
18-30 yrs |
395 |
52.5 |
47.6 to 57.4 |
|
31-50 yrs |
680 |
52.1 |
48.4 to 55.9 |
|
51-65 yrs |
418 |
54.8 |
50.0 to 59.6 |
|
66 yrs and above |
171 |
39.8 |
32.6 to 47.1 |
An estimate of seropositivity by type of residence
|
Residence type |
Number |
Prevalence of seropositivity (%) |
95% CI |
|
Hutment |
600 |
62.0 |
58.1 to 65.9 |
|
Tenement |
536 |
56.2 |
52.0 to 60.4 |
|
Apartment |
446 |
33.2 |
28.8 to 37.6 |
|
Bungalow |
82 |
43.9 |
33.2 to 54.6 |
An estimate of seropositivity by the size of residence
|
Size |
Number |
Prevalence of seropositivity (%) |
95% CI |
|
<150 sq ft |
287 |
59.6 |
53.5 to 65.2 |
|
151-300 sq ft |
608 |
58.6 |
54.6 to 62.5 |
|
301-500 sq ft |
456 |
48.5 |
43.9 to 53.1 |
|
501 + sq ft |
313 |
34.6 |
29.3 to 39.8 |
An estimate of seropositivity by nature of the usage of toilets
|
Toilet Type |
Number |
Prevalence of seropositivity (%) |
95% CI |
|
Shared toilet |
619 |
62.3 |
58.4 to 66.1 |
|
Independent toilet |
1045 |
45.3 |
42.3 to 48.3 |
