As per the findings of the fourth round of sero-survey, over 70 per cent of the population in Ganjam district has developed antibodies against Covid-19.
The survey conducted between June 16 and 20 revealed that Ganjam has the highest sero-prevalence of 70.9%, which means around 71% people in the district were infected with the virus and have recovered. Rayagada and Koraput districts have 63% and 61.3% sero-prevalence, respectively.
Experts claim sero-prevalence in 50%-60% or above population indicates herd immunity because when such a large part of the population develops antibodies against the virus, the chain of transmission is broken and the spread of the disease diminishes.
A total of 1,230 samples from the community and 311 from healthcare workers were collected for the survey conducted in Ganjam, Rayagada and Koraput districts. Overall, 65.12% common people and 85.53% health workers had sero-prevalence, the study revealed.
“The State’s sero-survey report is satisfactory against the national average. People developed antibodies after being infected with Covid-19 in both first and second waves and after getting vaccinated against the virus. Mostly, senior citizens have developed antibodies as they were vaccinated in the first phase,” said Health Director Bijay Mohapatra.