Two-thirds of Indians have antibodies, says govt

Two-thirds of Indians have antibodies, says govt

AgenciesUpdated: Wednesday, July 21, 2021, 12:37 AM IST
article-image

New Delhi

Around 40 crore people are still vulnerable to Covid infection as a nationwide survey found two-thirds of the country's population aged above six to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, the government said on Tuesday as it stressed there is no room for complacency in the fight against the pandemic.

Findings of the ICMR's 4th national Covid sero survey show there is a ray of hope, but there is no room for complacency and Covid-appropriate behaviour has to be followed, the government said.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted the latest survey in June-July.

Addressing a press conference, a senior official said two-thirds or 67.6 per cent of India's population aged above 6 years were found to have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the latest national sero survey.

A third of the population did not have SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which means about 40 crore people are still vulnerable to COVID-19 infection, the official said.

According to the government, 85 per cent of the surveyed healthcare workers had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and one-tenth of HCWs were still unvaccinated.

The survey covered 28,975 general population and 7,252 healthcare workers.

The fourth round of the survey was conducted in the 70 districts across 21 states where the previous three rounds had been carried out.

Stressing observance of COVID-19-appropriate behaviour, the government said social, religious and political congregations should be avoided and non-essential travels should be discouraged.

"Travel only if fully vaccinated," it said.

RECENT STORIES

Ex-Indian Ambassador To US Taranjit Singh Sandhu Joins BJP

Ex-Indian Ambassador To US Taranjit Singh Sandhu Joins BJP

Prakash Ambedkar Announces Support To Congress On 7 Seats, Says Lost Faith In Uddhav and Sharad...

Prakash Ambedkar Announces Support To Congress On 7 Seats, Says Lost Faith In Uddhav and Sharad...

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: How Inducting Raj Thackeray's MNS Will Impact BJP-led NDA In...

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: How Inducting Raj Thackeray's MNS Will Impact BJP-led NDA In...

In Photos: From Begusarai To Delhi, Here's A List Of Most Polluted Indian Cities In The World

In Photos: From Begusarai To Delhi, Here's A List Of Most Polluted Indian Cities In The World

Arunachal Pradesh An 'Inalienable' Part Of India; Says MEA Over China's 'Absurd Claims' On State

Arunachal Pradesh An 'Inalienable' Part Of India; Says MEA Over China's 'Absurd Claims' On State