945: Over Half of People Tested in the Italian City of Bergamo Have COVID-19 Antibodies

 A sample survey has shown that over half the residents of the northern Italian city of Bergamo have COVID-19 antibodies. Of the 9,965 residents who underwent blood tests from April 23 to June 3, 57% were found to have antibodies, thus suggesting that they had come into contact with the coronavirus. The health authorities said that the sample was sufficiently broad to reliably indicate the number of people that had been infected in Bergamo, which became the epicenter of Italys outbreak.

Antibodies were found in a little more than 30% of the 10,404 health operators tested; they are generally considered more at risk in comparison with other people.

According to a report released in early May, ISTAT, the national statistics institute, stated that the number of deaths in Bergamo was up 568% in March compared to the 2015-2019 average, making it Italys worst-affected city in terms of deaths. Hospitals were soon overwhelmed by infected people, morgues were unable to keep up, and convoys of army trucks were carrying away the dead - a chilling symbol of the global pandemic.

Bergamo has reported 13,609 coronavirus cases. Italy has reported nearly 34,000 coronavirus deaths, with some 235,000 confirmed cases. The Lombardy region, which includes Bergamo, has recorded more than 16,000 deaths. (Reuters)

Lesson: In an Italy-like situation, 50% of the population is expected to get infected.

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO