Sero-Survey Indicates Delhi Is Moving Towards Herd Immunity

The findings of the latest round of sero-survey show that Delhi is moving towards herd immunity from coronavirus. About 50 to 60 per cent of people in one district have developed antibodies to the virus, according to the survey.

The authorities are trying to achieve herd immunity through the vaccination programme. Herd immunity is one in which a critical mass of immune people can stop the spread of the virus by breaking the chain of transmission.

The current population of Delhi is more than two crores, spread across 11 districts. For the current survey, scientists had collected the samples of over 25,000 people from various districts across the city. Delhi government in association with the National Centre for Disease Control had conducted the survey.

Health ministry revealed the official figures in which 6.33 lakh people have been found infected in Delhi. However, the survey indicates that the total figure could be more than 1 crore, as per sources.

The number of infected people was around 60 per cent in one district. The rest of the 10 districts have averaged above 50 per cent which is close to the magic figure required.

For the first sero-survey, researchers used 21,387 samples and found that around 23 per cent of the people were exposed to the virus. It was conducted between June 27 and July 10 last year.

 The figure went up to 29.1 per cent in August. It was 25.1 per cent for September and 25.5 per cent the following month.

In the last 24 hours, Delhi logged 148 new cases of COVID-19 cases. This is the fourth time the daily surge figure stood below the 200 mark in January.

The total number of infected people in Delhi has crossed 6.34 lakh. With five new deaths on Monday, the number of fatalities touched 10,813.