Australia COVID-19 more than reported

By the end of February 2022, at least 17% of Australia’s adult population had recently been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to results released today from Australia’s latest antibody sera survey. It is estimated. To the virus of the blood donor. Most of these infections are believed to have occurred during the Omicron wave, which began in December 2021. Based on the findings, the proportion of infected people was more than double the number reported to authorities by the end of February 2022. ..

Serum studies were conducted by the National Center for Immunization Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) and the Kirby Institute in UNSW Sydney, in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Life Blood, Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Institute, and other research partners.

Queensland (26%) had the highest proportion of adults with antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, followed by Victoria (23%) and New South Wales (21%), followed by Western Australia. It was low (0.5%).

Serum research methods detect a higher percentage of infections than normal surveillance, based on the cases diagnosed and reported at the time of infection. This misses those who did not attend the test or who did not report a positive test result to the authorities.

A national antibody survey was conducted in February 2022, about six weeks after the peak of the Omicron wave in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Queensland, and Victoria, and before the substantial infection in Western Australia. It was held from late to early March.

“General pattern of antibody positive Blood donor It was consistent with the case patterns reported by the end of February 2022. Outbreaks occurred in New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, with very limited community transmission in Western Australia. Kirby Institute. “Similarly, young blood donors had the highest infection rates and the highest number of cases reported in this age group.”

Researchers examined 5,185 anonymized samples from Australian blood donors aged 18-89 years for evidence of COVID-19-related antibodies. We tested two antibodies against SAR-CoV-2. Antibodies to nucleocapsid proteins that indicate past infections and to peplomers that can indicate past infections and / or vaccinations.

Evidence of past infections was highest for donors aged 18-29 years at 27.2%, and declined as age increased to 6.4% for donors aged 70-89 in Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland.Recent evidence in Western Australia infection It was very low in all age groups. Nationwide, the proportion of the population with antibodies to peplomer is much higher, about 98%.

“As expected, a very high percentage of blood donors had antibodies to the peplomer of the COVID-19 virus, with little variation by age group or gender. This is between blood donors and blood donor vaccination. This may be due to the high rate, “said Christine McCartney, director of NCIRS and professor at the University of Sydney.

“Future rounds of blood donor serum studies will make it possible to understand the number of infections that will occur throughout 2022,” said Professor Macartney. “We are also conducting a second National Pediatric Serum Survey, which began collection in June, which provides better insights into infections in children and teens.”

An ongoing blood donor survey led by the Kirby Institute and NCIRS in collaboration with the Australian Red Cross Life Blood includes the Doherty Institute’s Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Institute, NSW Health Pathology ICPMR, University of Sydney, Murdoch Childrens. Researchers are also participating. Laboratory.

The remaining blood donation samples used in the study were taken from Lifeblood processing centers nationwide and separated from identification information other than age, gender, and zip code. Therefore, individual results cannot be provided to blood donors.

“Lifeblood of the Australian Red Cross encourages anyone who wants to contribute to this type of research to be a regular donor. There are many benefits to donating, such as checking blood type.” Professor David Irving, Director of Research and Development at the Australian Red Cross, said. Blood of life.

The next round of the Life Blood Donor Survey began in mid-June. At this point, we estimate the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody after diffusion of Omicron BA.2 and other submutants. The data will be provided to all states, territories, and federal governments under COVID-19’s Australian National Disease Surveillance Program.

Provided by the Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society