Bhubaneswar: As per findings of the fourth round of sero-survey, over 70 per cent of the population in Odisha's Ganjam district has developed anti-bodies against COVID-19.

The survey conducted between June 16 and 20 revealed that Ganjam district has highest sero-prevalence of 70.9 %, which means around 71 % people in the district were infected with the virus and have recovered. Rayagada and Koraput districts have 63 % and 61.3 % sero-prevelance.

Experts claim sero-prevalence in 50-60% or above population indicates herd immunity because when such a large part of the population develops antibodies against the virus, the chain of transmission is broken and spread of the disease diminishes.

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A total of 1230 samples from the community and 311 from healthcare workers were collected for the survey conducted in Ganjam, Rayagada and Koraput districts. Overall 65.12% common people and 85.53% health workers had sero-   prevalence, the study revealed.

"The state's sero-survey report is satisfactory against the national average. People developed antibodies after being infected with COVID-19 in both first and second waves and after getting vaccinated against the virus. Mostly, senior citizens have developed anti-bodies as they were vaccinated in the first phase," said Health Director Bijay Mohapatra.