Sero-Epidemiological Survey and Profile of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Cape Verde

Background: The pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus 2), the etiological agent of COVID-19, affected, until July 15, 2020, more than fourteen million people and caused more than six hundred thousand deaths in the world, constituting a worldwide public health concern, especially in small island states. In Cape Verde, the first confirmed case of infection by SARS-CoV-2 was recorded on the island of Boa Vista on March 19, 2020. Since then, the pandemic has spread to several islands, and by July, 2020, only two of the nine inhabited islands had not yet been affected. The general objective of this study was to analyze the seroprevalence and the profile of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Cape Verdean population. Methods: 1184 households were surveyed, corresponding to a total of 5348 individuals from 10 to 80 years old, stratified at the level of municipalities. A questionnaire containing information on sociodemographic characteristics, living conditions, behavior and symptoms related to COVID-19 was applied to all respondents, and they were all subjected to a rapid test (TDR) to detect total antibodies. Findings: Seroprevalence was 0.4%, being higher in females, 86%, and in the younger age group (10 to 20 years). The counties where positive TDR results were detected were Sal 66%, Maio 15%, Praia 10%, Sao Domingos 5% and Ribeira Brava de Sao Nicolau 5%. Other risk factors associated with any significance found were: (i) taking trips outside the municipalities of origin, during the state of emergency, in public transport and (ii) failure to comply with the correct use of a mask whenever one is in place with crowds of people Interpretation: The results of this study allow us to conclude that the Cape Verdean population is susceptible to the virus and, in the near future, there may be an increase in cases of COVID-19. Funding: Ministry of Health and Social Security of Cape Verde, National Institute of Public Health, and Bureau of the World Health Organization in Cape Verde. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Ethics Approval Statement: The study was submitted to the Cape Verde National Health Research Ethics Committee and the National Data Protection Commission. It received approval from both institutions, and is therefore bound by a code of ethics and strict laws that protect participants' confidentiality.