Latest Sero Survey Shows 56.13 Per Cent People In Delhi Have Antibodies Against Coronavirus: Health Minister Satyendar Jain

New Delhi: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Tuesday (February 2) that about 56.13 per cent of those covered under the latest serological survey in the city in January have developed antibodies against coronavirus. The health minister also said the capital was “moving towards herd immunity, but only experts will be able to give a clear picture”. The fifth sero survey which is the largest in the country so far was conducted from January 15 to January 23, he said.

Also Read: Delhi Could Be Heading Towards Attaining ‘Herd Immunity’, Indicates Latest Sero-Survey

At 62.18 percent, Southwest Delhi district reported maximum seroprevalence. North Delhi at 49.09 percent recorded the lowest, Mr. Jain said.

A new, better technology was used during the survey. Samples were collected from every ward. In all, 28,000 samples were taken, a senior official said.

The minister said the number of cases, fatalities and hospital admissions have declined significantly, but insisted that people should continue use masks for a few more months and maintain “COVID-19-approriate behavior”.

Mr. Jain said three major changes were incorporated during the latest survey.

We increased the sample size. Samples were collected on the basis of socio-economic conditions. A new, more sensitive kit was used and the testing was conducted at Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, he said.

The minister also informed that frontline workers will start getting COVID-19 vaccine jabs this week. Nearly six lakh frontline workers, including government school teachers, MCD employees, police personnel, ASHA and ANM workers, are expected to be administered the vaccine.

Also Read: Containment Measures, Immunity, Fewer Outside Patients Behind Fall In COVID Cases In Delhi: Experts

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.