Coronavirus Explained: What Are Sero Surveys And Why Are They Important?
Novel Coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 1.08 crore people in India but according to a latest sero survey conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around 29 crore people in the country have been infected with COVID-19. Why is there this huge difference in the confirmed COVID-19 cases and the sero prevalence? According to experts, the COVID-19 cases can be asymptomatic or there are chances that people didn't report of the infection. This is exactly where the role of sero survey comes in, to gauge the prevalence of the virus in a particular area. Here is everything you need to know about sero surveys.
How Is A Sero Survey Done?
The blood serum of a group of individuals is tested using an antibody test, also known as a serology test. The antibody test looks for antibodies and examines if an individual's immune system has responded to the infection.A human body develops two kinds of antibodies - IgM (Immunoglobulin M) and IgG (Immunoglobulin G) against any infection. IgG antibodies stay for months indicating of a past infection.
What Is The Importance Of Sero Survey?
Sero survey broadly indicates two things; firstly, the percentage of the population exposed to the virus. Secondly, which groups are more exposed or have had higher rates of infection. For example, if the sample population includes health workers, children, elderly then the results can tell that among the three groups, which group has had more infections. Thirdly, how infection rates are progressing in a particular area. For this, sero surveys need to be done regularly.
For How Long The Immune Response Lasts?
According to experts, usually memory cells consisting of T-cells and B-cells retain the memory of an infection for a lifetime so that when the virus attacks the body second time, memory cells can initiate faster and quicker immune response. However, in the case of COVID-19, we don't know for how long the immunity lasts. According to various studies, the immunity may last for four to six months.
Nearly 20 lakh children live on the streets of India, without an identity, a name to call their own, a place to call home, sleeping on empty stomachs for days and nights. These twenty lakh are children, who have dreams, who have rights, who are our tomorrow. They are living in the shadows today.
During these unprecedented times, not everyone can afford the privilege of social distancing. And not everybody can stay home during the lockdown, simply because they don’t have a home. Those living in poverty are extremely vulnerable, struck with a sudden lack of funds, food, mobility and a struggle for survival. And, as with all humanitarian crises, it is the children who have been affected the most.
It is always the children on the street who are subjected to some of the harshest realities of life. Today they are battling a catastrophic crisis, and it’s time we step in to protect them.
As a part of our COVID-19 response, Save the Children is working across various regions and has already directly reached over 18,000 children and adults to cover their basic needs. The organisation is ensuring their daily needs and their dignity and hygiene are also being cared for. Save the Children has identified 2.5 lakh children in cohorts, across 10 cities in India. Reaching out to these children with emergency relief is a top priority. But this cannot be done alone.
Save the Children and NDTV join hands to bring focus to the lives of children living in street situations. As India fights the Coronavirus, we must not forget one of the most marginalised and excluded groups whose lives have been long ignored – street-connected children. The 21-day campaign will generate public interest and raise funds to ensure these 20 Lakh+ children who live, earn, sleep and eat on our streets are cared for and protected. Amidst the crisis the world is facing, they are most vulnerable, exposed to infection and disease.