Exploratory Sero Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) among Health Care Professionals in Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health (PGIMER, Chandigarh): An Exploratory Study

Abstract The safety of Healthcare Workers (HCWs) against SARS-CoV-2 transmission is an important aspect of managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Depending upon the level of sero prevalence of infection, public health interventions can be implemented for prevention and control of the disease. Therefore, the present study was designed to estimate the level of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among healthcare professionals in the Department of Community Medicine & School of Public Health PGIMER Chandigarh. The participants were selected by simple random sampling method. Collected serum samples were tested for the detection of IgG Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by using ELISA kit (Zydus Diagnostics) and results were analysed as per manufacturer’s instructions. Out of total 56 participants, equal proportion of males and females participants i.e. 28 participated in study. Among these 7 participants showed the presence of IgG antibodies. Therefore, the exploratory seroprevalence of 12.5% was observed among healthcare professionals of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, which is higher in comparison to seroprevalence, reported in general population. Keywords ELISA; IgG antibodies; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; Health care professional