Multiple studies indicate people are slowly building immunity towards the SARS-Cov2 virus, so much so the Karnataka government is pressing ahead with unlock plans.
A sero-surveillance study conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently has revealed that seven of thousand people surveyed had been infected in the past, but had developed IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies, an indication of improved immunity.
Bengaluru Urban, Kalaburagi and Chitradurga were among 82 districts across the country where the study was conducted and the outcome in these three districts was in line with the national trend on acquiring immunity. Results of an inhouse study at Sri Jayadeva institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, reported by TOI, is also in line with these findings.
“Numerous factors indicate herd immunity is building and it is a significant development,” Balram Bhargava, director general of ICMR, told TOI. He also said the sero-surveillance study shows Covid-19 is not as fatal as some other diseases. “The infection fatality is 0.08% in India as against the global trend of 0.02- 1.4%,” he said.
Medical education minister K Sudhakar pointed to the state’s recovery rate of 57.3% against the national average of 51% to substantiate immunity claims. “It clearly shows antibodies are neutralising the virus,” said Sudhakar.
