9,889 fresh cases in Odisha, experts doubt antibodies’ efficacy

BHUBANESWAR: With the state reporting 9,889 fresh infections against 6,164 new recoveries on Wednesday, healthcare experts have become doubtful of the certainty of not getting infected even after developing antibodies.
The experts said the daily rise in infections goes to prove that the presence of antibodies does not warrant 100% protection from Covid-19. Even the ICMR has reported a reinfection rate of 4.5% in the country in the second wave, which means those who had developed antibodies against the virus, have also tested positive.
“We already have instances of people getting re-infected. Studies are on to ascertain for how long the antibody stays in the body or whether it is is enough to fight against the virus,” Jayant Panda, government’s technical advisor on Covid-19, said. He added that the serological survey findings are the outcome of sample analysis, which was extrapolated. “It doesn’t give the whole picture. The serological survey in Gajapati district had revealed the presence of antibodies in 90% of the population. But the district is now witnessing Covid cases as people are being infected. This apart, mutant strains have also been detected there,” Panda said.
The outcome of serological survey conducted in the capital city in October last year had shown the formation of antibodies in a significant 50% of the population, up from five per cent in August. Though no sero survey has been conducted after that, it is estimated that another 20%-30% people must have developed antibodies in the capital. But the city is seeing a daily sharp rise, which was not the case in the first wave. Khurda added 1,331 fresh cases, of which the capital (also a part of Khurda) contributed 1,074 infections. The total Covid count in the city is inching close to the 50,000 mark, while the active cases have gone past 10,000. It has already reported close to 15, 000 new cases in the second wave.