Sequential serological surveys in the early stages of the coronavirus disease epidemic: limitations and perspectives

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Estimates of the number of individuals infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are important for health planning and establishment of expectations regarding herd immunity. METHODS: Seven testing rounds of a serological survey were conducted at 1-week interv...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
Main Authors: Marcelo Adriano da Cunha e Silva Vieira, Chrystiany Plácido de Brito Vieira, Amaríles de Souza Borba, Maria Clara de Carvalho Melo, Marilene de Sousa Oliveira, Rodrigo Moraes Melo, Vanessa Veloso Nunes, Wesllany Sousa Santana, Yara Amorim de Aguiar
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2020
Subjects:
Coronavirus disease
Health surveys
Pandemic
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
RC955-962
Arctic
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0351-2020
https://doaj.org/article/e2b417044736420ea06429b65a02ae70
Description
Summary:Abstract INTRODUCTION: Estimates of the number of individuals infected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 are important for health planning and establishment of expectations regarding herd immunity. METHODS: Seven testing rounds of a serological survey were conducted at 1-week intervals between April 19 and May 31, 2020 in Teresina municipality. RESULTS Over the 7 weeks, serological positivity increased from 0.56% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.18%-1.30%) to 8.33% (95% CI: 6.61%-10.33%), representing 33-53 persons infected for each reported case. CONCLUSIONS: Serological screening may be an important tool for understanding the immunity of a population and planning community interventions.

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