According to the latest nationwide serological survey, about 40 crore people in the country are susceptible to COVID-19. This is the fourth such exercise to have been conducted in the country. The survey report says that more than two-thirds of Indians above six years of age have developed antibodies against COVID-19.
This means two-thirds of the Indian population above the age of six have already been infected with the coronavirus. Meanwhile, some experts have said a third wave could hit children in the country.
The fourth such survey, conducted in the last two weeks of June and the first week of July across 70 districts in 21 states, revealed seropositivity or the presence of antibodies in the blood serum among 67.6% of the sampled population against SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19.
India's daily cases have fallen to four-month lows after a second wave that crippled the healthcare system. But experts have warned the authorities against swiftly reopening cities and voiced concerns about overcrowding at tourist sites.
Data from serological survey
Two-thirds of India's population have antibodies against the coronavirus, according to data released on Tuesday.
The survey of 29,000 people across the nation was conducted in June and July of this year.
The fourth national blood serum survey which tests for antibodies, known as a serosurvey, included 8,691 children aged 6-17 years for the first time. Half of them were seropositive.
The survey showed 67.6% of adults were seropositive, while more than 62% of adults were unvaccinated.
As of July, just over 8% of eligible adult Indians had received two vaccine doses.
About 400 million of India's 1.4 billion people did not have antibodies, the survey showed.
The study also surveyed 7,252 healthcare workers and found 85% had antibodies, with one in 10 unvaccinated.
Last month, data showed at least half of under-18s in India's financial capital of Mumbai were exposed to COVID-19 and had antibodies against it.
(With Reuters Inputs)
