Sero survey says 18 crore Indians have got antibodies against Covid-19

Thyrocare recently conducted a sero survey and concluded that as many as 18 crore people in India already have antibodies against Covid-19. The private lab made 60,000 antibody tests in different parts of India.  To be precise, the lab collected samples from 600 pin codes.  The testing spanned 20 days.

Dr A Velumani, Chairman of Thyrocare Technologies, revealed the findings of the testing, whose findings have surprised many.  The study said that about 24% of the population of Delhi was “affected by Covid-19 and many of them would not have even known it as they did not show any symptoms.”

Taking to Twitter, Velumani said, “Innocence or Ignorance say: 1.Antibody cannot protect. 2.Antibody may not be for ever. Humans in the last 10,000 years did not have drug or vaccine to fight against 1000s of pathogens. Only Antibodies, Lymphocytes protected us.”

He added, “My guesstimate after 60,000 antibodies testing: 15% globally have had COVID exposure and remain immunized. In India only 1/10,000 exposed die, high immunity. In western rich countries 1/500 exposed die, poor immunity. Data says after March 2021, vaccine will have less value.”

The study has come in for criticism.  Freelance journalist Priyanka Pulla commented, “Such a ridiculous announcement.  No mention of which antibody kit was used, what the sensitivity and specificity was? No sampling strategy, but they are happy to announce that 18 crore Indians were infected and immunised?”