Prevalence of IgG and IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among clinic staff and patients

• DOI: 10.1101/2020.07.02.20145441
• Publication Date: 2020-07-05T10:59:43Z
• Authors: Marcus Inyama Asuquo; Emmanuel Effa; Akaninyene Otu; Okokon Ita; Ubong Udoh; Victor Umoh; Oluwabukola Gbotosho; Anthonia Ikpeme; Soter Ameh; William Egbe; Margaret Etok; Jochen Guck; Andrew Ekpenyong
• Keywords: Pandemic

ABSTRACT The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a pandemic with devastating social and economic consequences. extent of the spread COVID-19 within populations uncertain since diagnostic tests have not been carried out on all eligible persons doing such everyone much less feasible in developing countries as Nigeria. Tests for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, virus that causes COVID-19, are more affordable, readily available, require minimal training than current tests. Employing seroepidemiological strategy, serological were conducted 66 volunteering staff patients at University Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), Federal Government owned tertiary healthcare facility, determine exposure from 17 th 25 June 2020. Using IgG/IgM Rapid Test Cassette emergency use authorization (EUA) Food Drug Administration (FDA) United States, it was observed samples tested, 5 (7.6%) both IgG IgM positive (26%) positive. Moreover, 44 participants, simultaneous using rapid test kit different manufacturer but without FDA-EUA results completely matched kit, except one case where showed while other only IgM. 26% indicates high rate hospital points community transmission facility situated. Hence, immediate activation WHO guidelines controlling called for. These can further serve pilot study guide public health policies response general population settings.