1 in 15 individuals aged more than 10 yrs exposed to COVID-19 by Aug: ICMR

New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Tuesday released the outcomes of the second national serosurvey report saying that one in 15 individuals aged more than 10 years were estimated to be exposed to coronavirus by August 2020. ICMR DG Balram Bhargava informed in a presser. As per ICMR's report, urban slum and urban non-slum areas had higher SARS_CoV_2 infection prevalence than that of rural areas. Meanwhile, the number of recovered cases from coronavirus has crossed the 51-lakh mark. 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare briefed media about the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) second sero survey report on coronavirus. 

Also, "We all need to ensure that in the coming months, we celebrate 'mask wali puja, mask wali Chhath, mask wali Diwali, mask wala Dussehra, mask wali Eid,' in order to curb the spread of coronavirus," said Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog.

As per the report, urban slum and urban non-slum areas had higher COVID-19 infection prevalence than that of rural areas, he added.

Bhargava went on to stress that since a large portion of the population is yet susceptible, prevention fatigue is to be avoided and a 5T strategy (Test, Track, Trace, Treat and Technology) is to be adhered to.

In the light of the upcoming festivities, winter season and mass gathering, inventive containment strategies need to be implemented by the states, said the ICMR DG.

Health Ministry's Secretary Rajesh Bhushan confirmed that the number of recovered cases in the country have crossed the 51-lakh mark, which is the highest in the world. The count of COVID-19 deaths per million population in India is one of the lowest in the world, he added.