4 August, CNN
Authorities in Italy have found that only 2.5% of Italians, or 1,482,000 people, have Covid-19 antibodies despite it being one of the countries hardest hit by coronavirus in Europe.
According to the results of a national survey released on Monday, the northern region of Lombardy, the worse-hit by the pandemic, reported the highest number of people with antibodies, 7.5%, while the two main Italian islands, Sicily and Sardinia, had the lowest number of 0.3 % of the population.
“The different results of the survey in the country’s territory are very relevant. This means that the tough and rigorous measure adopted by the central and regionals governments, and the correct behavior of the Italian people avoided a more massive spread of the virus,” Minister of Health Roberto Speranza said during a news conference on Monday.
According to the survey, almost a third of those who tested positive for antibodies were asymptomatic and the most frequent source of infection, in 41.7 % of the cases, is from a relative living in the same house.
The current number of people with antibodies is six times higher than that registered during the pandemic, said Linda Laura Sabbadini, director of the National Institute for Statistics (Istat).
To achieve herd immunity, it is necessary to have at least 60-70% of the population with COVID-19 antibodies (this value may change based on the characteristics of inter-human transmissibility of a virus). I don't think there are countries in the world that are now really immune to SARS-CoV-2.
Muhammed Ashraful Alam The different diffusion in Italy is due to geographical, genetic, environmental factors and also in part to the precociousness of the lockdown. Currently with the tourist flows we will see if there will be a greater diffusion. As for the antibodies, it is an estimate of the sample examined, but as they themselves say, the data are not homogeneous enough to draw certain conclusions.
Thanks for your kind sharing dear Matteo Nioi and whatever it is they are worried about the findings.
Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 cannot help to know the exposure of the population to the virus, because many asymptomatic people may not produce antibodies. Furthermore, the antibodies may wane off anywhere between 3 weeks and three months. Therefore, based on antibody sero-surveys, the SARS-CoV-2 antibodies will hardly ever be present in 50-70% of the population to achieve herd immunity against COVID-19 pandemic.
This is a disaster. Herd immunity unlikely. Vaccination is unlikely to have a lasting effect...
Really interesting question! Clearly, the percentage of people with Covid-19 antibodies in Italy is insufficient to achieve herd immunity.
Think so dear Pietro Emanuele Napoli and herd immunity without vaccines is not suggested by WHO.
Dear Muhammed Ashraful Alam , the problem for Italy is now the possibility for new waves and Lockdowns!
Yes, not only in Italy but also Spain, Germany, Belgium and even the UK are facing problems and they are fearing off second wave of COVID-19 cases. Pietro Emanuele Napoli
This datum alone negates the possibility of natural "herd-immunity." We must have a good vaccine at this point.
To achieve herd immunity, it is necessary to have at least 60-70% of the population with COVID-19 antibodies (this value may change based on the characteristics of inter-human transmissibility of a virus). I don't think there are countries in the world that are now really immune to SARS-CoV-2.
Thanks dear Gary Joseph Ordog and Pietro Emanuele Napoli and yes, it's too difficult to think about herd immunity without quality vaccine in the current context. Even after the development of vaccine, another big question will be the availability of vaccine for all which will be quite difficult in this unequal world. Most of the world may live with coronavirus without a vaccine.
From the experience of waves of COVID-19 that we have seen lately, the Italians may have to brace themselves for another wave if they let their guard down. The very low percentage of people who tested +ve for COVID-19 in Italy is an indication that there is likely no herd immunity achieved in the country
Hi Muhammed Ashraful Alam
You have already received answers from the previous ones.
What worries me is "the most frequent source of infection, in 41.7% of cases, comes from a relative who lives in the same house".
We have no effective policies in these cases to reduce transmission and there may be older people in the home.
That is not enough. You need to have at least 60% of population with immunity based on infection rate of Covid 19, 1 person infecting 2.5 persons.
For measles, where 1 person infects 8 persons, you need 90% immune population.
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