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. 2021 Apr;134(4):526-534.e11.
doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.09.024. Epub 2020 Oct 29.

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-Specific IgG Antibodies Among Adults Living in Connecticut: Post-Infection Prevalence (PIP) Study

Shiwani Mahajan  1 , Rajesh Srinivasan  2 , Carrie A Redlich  3 , Sara K Huston  2 , Kelly M Anastasio  4 , Lisa Cashman  5 , Dorothy S Massey  6 , Andrew Dugan  2 , Dan Witters  2 , Jenny Marlar  2 , Shu-Xia Li  6 , Zhenqiu Lin  1 , Domonique Hodge  2 , Manas Chattopadhyay  2 , Mark D Adams  7 , Charles Lee  7 , Lokinendi V Rao  8 , Chris Stewart  2 , Karthik Kuppusamy  5 , Albert I Ko  9 , Harlan M Krumholz  10
Affiliations

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-Specific IgG Antibodies Among Adults Living in Connecticut: Post-Infection Prevalence (PIP) Study

Shiwani Mahajan et al. Am J Med. 2021 Apr.

Abstract

Background: A seroprevalence study can estimate the percentage of people with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibodies in the general population; however, most existing reports have used a convenience sample, which may bias their estimates.

Methods: We sought a representative sample of Connecticut residents, ages ≥18 years and residing in noncongregate settings, who completed a survey between June 4 and June 23, 2020, and underwent serology testing for SARS-CoV-2-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies between June 10 and July 29, 2020. We also oversampled non-Hispanic black and Hispanic subpopulations. We estimated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG antibodies and the prevalence of symptomatic illness and self-reported adherence to risk-mitigation behaviors among this population.

Results: Of the 567 respondents (mean age 50 [± 17] years; 53% women; 75% non-Hispanic white individuals) included at the state level, 23 respondents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, resulting in weighted seroprevalence of 4.0 (90% confidence interval [CI] 2.0-6.0). The weighted seroprevalence for the oversampled non-Hispanic black and Hispanic populations was 6.4% (90% CI 0.9-11.9) and 19.9% (90% CI 13.2-26.6), respectively. The majority of respondents at the state level reported following risk-mitigation behaviors: 73% avoided public places, 75% avoided gatherings of families or friends, and 97% wore a facemask, at least part of the time.

Conclusions: These estimates indicate that the vast majority of people in Connecticut lack antibodies against SARS-CoV-2, and there is variation by race and ethnicity. There is a need for continued adherence to risk-mitigation behaviors among Connecticut residents to prevent resurgence of COVID-19 in this region.

Keywords: Antibodies; COVID-19; Connecticut; SARS-CoV-2; Seroprevalence.

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Figures

eFigure 1
eFigure 1
Flowchart showing sample selection for the state-level estimate.
eFigure 2
eFigure 2
Flowchart showing sample selection for the oversample estimate.
eFigure 3
eFigure 3
Distribution of the timing of the blood draws between June 10 and July 29, 2020, for the state-level estimate (A) and the subpopulation estimate (B).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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