New Delhi: India recorded 42,015 fresh infections in the past 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry reported. This is the lowest in 125 days. According to the findings of the fourth National Sero Survey, at least one-third Indians are still vulnerable to COVID-19 infections.
The recovery rate at 97.36 per cent accounted for 36,977 recuperations in the last 24 hours taking the total recoveries to 3,03,90,687. The daily positivity rate stood at 2.27 per cent, which is less than 3 per cent for 30 consecutive days.
The active caseload stands at 4,07,170 accounting for 1.30 per cent of the total number of cases. 42,015 active cases were reported in the last 24 hours. However, the mortality rate recorded at 1.34 per cent reported 374 fatalities, taking the cumulative death toll to 4,18,480.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in association with the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) conducted the National Serological Survey in India. According to the findings of the fourth National Sero Survey, at least one-third Indians are still vulnerable to COVID-19 infections. While sharing the report, health officials claimed that 67.6 percent of the general population have antibodies against the SARS-CoV2 virus.
Health officials reveal that the high sero-positivity gives rise to hope that a majority of people have developed antibodies. At the same time, the officials also cautioned that the findings should not be extrapolated to draw conclusions as many areas in the country still have a high positivity rate.
Dr VK Paul, member of health Niti Ayog, said that in rural areas, the sero-positivity rate was 56 per cent in people below the age of 18 years and 63 per cent in people above 18. Therefore, the infection was found to be almost the same in both age groups. Interestingly, the study reveals the highest sero positivity of 77.6 percent found in the 45-60 age group.
The study showed that the children had the lowest exposure to COVID as compared to other age groups. However, half of the children in the age group 6 to 17 years had antibodies. The sero-positivity was 57.2 per cent in the 6-9 years age group, whereas 61.6 percent of children in the age group 10-17 years showed presence of antibodies.
Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) director general, Balram Bhargawa while revealing the report said that one in three Indians is still susceptible to COVID-19. He advised against any societal, public, religious, and political gathering as well as non-essential travel.