Serosurveillance of Anti SARS-Cov-2 Antibodies among Essential Workers in Navi Mumbai - A Single Centre Study

Abstract

Background – COVID – 19 is the latest raging pandemic that the world is facing at the moment. Frontline workers have been highly exposed to this disease and majority of them have suffered from this deadly disease too. Studying the prevalence of antibodies among frontline workers in different areas is crucial for understanding the potential risk of transmission, the prevalence of herd immunity, vaccine deployment and risk stratification in different areas of work. Materials and Methods – A prospective study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital of Navi Mumbai on 200 essential service providers, 100 HCWs and 100 police personnel, of which 2 police personnel dropped out of the study. This study was conducted over a period of 2 days, i.e, 20th and 21st May 2021 and it included answering a questionnaire and drawing blood to detect SARS COV-2 antibodies. Results – Out of the total 198 participants, there were 130 males and 68 females. Most of the participants were in the 30 – 39 years age group and 41% participants had suffered from COVID – 19 in the past one year. 60.10% participants had developed IgG antibodies against COVID – 19. The highest titre of antibodies found was between 1 – 10 amongst both groups followed by antibody levels more than 100 among HCWs. Subsequently, it was found that there was a 72% seropositivity rate amongst frontline workers whereas only a 48% positivity rate in HCWs. Conclusion – Measuring antibody titres allows determination of prevalence of COVID – 19 infection amongst heavily exposed individuals, who have been badly affected by the 2 waves of this pandemic. This serosurvey also helped us confirm that there is a declining trend of antibodies during convalescence phase and that even though the infectivity rate is high amongst essential service providers, not all developed a sustained antibody response. These findings uphold the need for strict precautionary measures and that laxity must not be observed while following the same to contain the pandemic. Key words: Antibodies, COVID -19, SARS-COV-2, Serosurveillance, Health Care Workers, Police Personnel, Frontline Workers.

Seroprevalence of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Chattogram Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh

“…Tripathi et al (2020) reported that HCWs were more educated with regard to the COVID-19 symptoms, incubation time, problems in high-risk patients, and had greater access to therapy than other residents (non HCWs) [ 39 ]. In Navi Mumbai in May 2021, serosurveillance of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among essential workers revealed that police personnel had a 72% seropositivity rate, whereas HCWs had a 48% positivity rate [ 40 ]. Moreover, we observed that, among the garment workers, just under 20% received vaccines and just above 50% were seropositive, which might have majorly been achieved from natural infections ( Figure 1 ).…”

Sero-prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in Chattogram Metropolitan Area, Bangladesh

“…HCWs had a 48% positivity rate [40]. Moreover, we observed that, among the garment workers, just under 20% received vaccines and just above 50% were seropositive, which might have majorly been achieved from natural infections (Figure 1).…”

“…Tripathi et al, 2020 reported that HCWs were more educated of COVID-19 symptoms, incubation time, problems in high-risk patients, and had greater access to therapy than other residents (non HCWs) [ 39 ]. In Navi Mumbai in May 2021, serosurveillance of anti-SARS-Cov-2 antibodies among essential workers revealed that police personnel had a 72% seropositivity rate, whereas HCWs had a 48% positivity rate [ 40 ]. Moreover, we observed that, among the garment workers, just under 20% received vaccines and just above 50% were seropositive, which might have majorly been achieved from natural infections ( Figure 1 ).…”