Make first serosurvey data public: Experts

New Delhi: Public health experts have urged the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to make public the details of a serosurvey conducted in containment zones in April and end speculation over the prevalence of Covid-19. Portions of data available with ICMR have been shared only with a “few” members of its expert committees and top bureaucrats.

The group of public health experts has now written to the director-general of ICMR to disclose the findings of the survey that was conducted to estimate how much of the population in containment zones of hotspot cities had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The serosurvey tests people for the presence of virus-fighting antibodies that the immune system produces to fight infections.

“The survey is over and the details are with the DG of ICMR,” an expert said on condition of anonymity.

While the health ministry said on Thursday that it plans to conduct another nationwide serosurvey, experts are of the view that keeping the findings of the first survey confidential will only add to suspicion and that they should be published.

The experts said the survey showed a high proportion of infection in containment zones, especially in Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Mumbai, and was brushed under the carpet. Those aware of some of the findings said it showed the prevalence of Covid-19 in containment zones varied from 10% to 35%. “The survey doesn’t suit the government’s narrative and hence it was shared with the top bureaucrats, but not with the health experts. Being secretive about the data sets a wrong precedent. It is not collection which is important, but its analysis,” said another expert.

ICMR conducted the serosurvey in 10 hotspot cities to estimate the extent of community transmission of the infection. The survey indicated that a “large percentage of infections are mild or asymptomatic,” said an expert aware of the matter. Many people are purely asymptomatic, the expert said.