New study first glimpses the spread of COVID-19 antibodies in the Canadian adult population

Today, the Canadian Blood Services and Canadian COVID-19 Immunity Task Force (CITF) are presenting initial results for the first 10,000 donor blood samples evaluated for the SARS-CoV-2 antibody. This analysis shows less than 1% of 10,000 samples from blood donors tested positive for antibodies to the novel coronavirus between May 9 and June 8, 2020. Antibodies indicate a past infection with SARS-CoV-2, and population studies like these show the number of people who may have been exposed to the virus.

These results provide, for the first time, a high level glimpse of an ongoing Canadian blood services study evaluating SARS-CoV-2 antibodies across nine states. Updated when Canadian Blood Services completes analysis of a sample of all 37,800 donations made in May and June 2020. In addition, Héma-Québec will publish results in Quebec in the near future. A complete national picture considering the state’s COVID-19 rate.

This initial figure will be adjusted when all 10 surveys are completed in the coming weeks, but CITF Co-Chair Professor Catherine Hankins believes that it will make sense. Public attention Reopening, causing an annoying rise in COVID-19 cases across Canada.

“The obvious thing is that a small percentage of Canadian adults are infected with SARS-CoV-2,” Hankins says. “Most of us are still vulnerable to infections. We need to increase our testing and tracking capabilities across the country to quickly break the chain of infections to prevent unchecked spread. “

CITF Co-Chair Professor David Naylor agreed: “These data suggest that in all cases confirmed by swab and RNA testing, there are some undetected infections. Give weight to current public health advice: Wear masks in public indoor spaces, wash your hands often, and if you’re around people who aren’t in your COVID-19’bubble’, physical Practice the correct distance. “

Recognizing that far more adult Canadians are infected than is currently documented, CITF Executive Director Professor Timothy Evans warns against over-interpreting a clear reduction in risk. Issued. “In adults, the mortality rate from being infected with SARS-CoV-2 is probably 1%, compared to 8% previously reported among people diagnosed with COVID-19. It’s close, but it’s a virus that’s likely to infect us, and if we spread it, it’s caused a lot of damage and many survivors now have persistent symptoms. I just know.”

These first results from the Canadian Blood Services and the CITF are the first steps to get policy makers a deeper understanding of COVID-19 infection rates across Canada. As more samples are analyzed by Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, the findings provide new insights that guide effective public health practices.

“I would like to thank the Canadians for the sacrifices they made to flatten the curve of the first wave. These first results reflect widespread compliance with public health measures, but most Canadians It also means that they are still susceptible to infections,” said Health Honorary Patti Haidu. “Since the number of cases is starting to grow again, we all need to follow public health advice and avoid crowded areas, close contact settings, and tight spaces.”

Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec offered support when the Government of Canada established the CITF in late April 2020. The Canadian blood system has become the first place for initiatives to look for evidence of infection and immunity in Canadians.

The choice was obvious. Blood donation centers are a quick and reliable resource for insight into disease patterns in more common people such as COVID-19. Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec regularly test blood donations, including testing for pathogens that may be transmitted via blood transfusion (SARS-CoV2 is not known to be transfused. ). Both organizations have regularly contributed to such active and ethically-accepted research programs, some of which in the past have included serological extension activities to guide policy. It was

“Canadian Blood Services is proud to support the CITF’s mission,” said Dr. Graham Sher, CEO of Canadian Blood Services. “We can help ourselves in a unique way by providing relatively quick information about the presence of COVID-19 antibodies in a large number of people across Canada. blood Canadian blood service donors and staff contribute to the needs of the country in new ways.”

Dr. Mark Germain, Vice President of Medical Affairs and Innovation at Emma Quebec, said: “We report the results of our first study on antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 Blood donor In Quebec”