More than 50 percent of slum dwellers in Mumbai have developed anti-coronavirus antibodies.

The serological Survey for SARS-COV2 estimates that around 57 percent of the Mumbai slum population has developed antibodies.

The serological Survey for SARS-COV2 estimates that around 57 percent of the Mumbai slum population has developed antibodies. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), NITI Ayog, Tata institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), in collaboration with organizations, conducted the survey. According to the survey's findings published on July 28, in the first round, more than 6,936 samples were collected from the populated slum of the three wards of Dahisar (R-North), Chembur (M-West), Matunga (F-North) slums, and non-slums areas. The systematically conducted study estimates that around 57 percent of the samples from slums and 16 percent from non-slums had COVID-19 antibodies.

The findings suggest that asymptomatic infections were high in densely populated slum areas with shared facilities, and fatality rates were very low. A doctor from TIFR stated that a large population in the slums was asymptomatic and would sooner or later reach herd immunity. However, people from non-slum areas need to maintain social distancing protocols.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.