75 per cent tested positive for Covid antibodies in Mumbai slums

A sero survey in Mumbai finds that in  the five slums of the Cuffe Parade area, 605 patients out of 806 tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies. This serosurvey was conducted between October 5 and 10 at five locations. The survey showed that 75 per cent of the population tested positive for Covid antibodies which is one of the highest seroprevalence rates reported in the country.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s seroprevalence average is at 45 per cent in slums and 18 per cent in buildings. These slums were not covered yet in the BMC serosurvey study. Eyebetes foundation and BJP Corporator Harshita Narvekar organised the seroprevalence survey for the slum residents. Eyebetes foundation didn’t deny the fact that it’s possible that many people were unwilling to give information about the previous infection or all of them had an asymptomatic infection.

The study further stated that 78 per cent of the population aged between 18 -40, 74 per cent of those aged between 40 -60, and 76 per cent of those aged over 60 tested positive for Covid-19 antibodies. Among those tested in the survey, seroprevalence among women was 79.3 per cent, as compared to 70.8 per cent among men.