Abstract
BackgroundRobust data on SARS-CoV-2 population seroprevalence supplement surveillance data in providing evidence for public health action.AimTo conduct a SARS-CoV-2 population-based seroprevalence survey in Ireland.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional study design, we selected population samples from individuals aged 12–69 years in counties Dublin and Sligo using the Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Service database as a sampling frame. Samples were selected with probability proportional to the general population age–sex distribution, and by simple random sampling within age–sex strata. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected using the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG Assay and confirmed using the Wantai Assay. We estimated the population SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence weighted for age, sex and geographic area.ResultsParticipation rates were 30% (913/3,043) and 44% (820/1,863) in Dublin and Sligo. Thirty-three specimens had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (1.9%). We estimated weighted seroprevalences of 3.12% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.05–4.53) and 0.58% (95% CI: 0.18–1.38) for Dublin and Sligo, and 1.69% (95% CI: 1.13–2.41) nationally. This equates to an estimated 59,482 (95% CI: 39,772–85,176) people aged 12–69 years nationally having had infection with SARS-CoV-2, 3.0 (95% CI: 2.0–4.3) times higher than confirmed notifications. Ten participants reported a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 -infection; eight of these were antibody-positive. Twenty-five antibody-positive participants had not reported previous laboratory-confirmed infection.ConclusionThe majority of people in Ireland are unlikely to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 by June–July 2020. Non-pharmaceutical public health measures remained key pending widespread availability of vaccination, and effective treatments.
Highlights
Case-based surveillance may considerably underestimate the level of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, as mild or asymptomatic cases may not seek healthcare and testing
Considerations when embarking on seroprevalence studies, especially for a recently emerging virus like SARS-CoV-2, include the timing of the study, since early testing may result in false negative results before seroconversion, but late testing may miss cases if there is rapid antibody decline
A wide-ranging evidence summary indicated that IgG antibodies are typically produced in the 2 weeks following an infection with SARS-CoV-2 and persist for at least 3 months [2]
Summary
Case-based surveillance may considerably underestimate the level of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, as mild or asymptomatic cases may not seek healthcare and testing. A wide-ranging evidence summary indicated that IgG antibodies are typically produced in the 2 weeks following an infection with SARS-CoV-2 and persist for at least 3 months [2]. Aim: To conduct a SARS-CoV-2 population-based seroprevalence survey in Ireland. We estimated the population SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence weighted for age, sex and geographic area. We estimated weighted seroprevalences of 3.12% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.05–4.53) and 0.58% (95% CI: 0.18– 1.38) for Dublin and Sligo, and 1.69% (95% CI: 1.13– 2.41) nationally This equates to an estimated 59,482 (95% CI: 39,772–85,176) people aged 12–69 years nationally having had infection with SARS-CoV-2, 3.0 (95% CI: 2.0–4.3) times higher than confirmed notifications. Ten participants reported a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 -infection; eight of these were antibody-positive. Twenty-five antibody-positive participants had not reported previous laboratoryconfirmed infection
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