Nearly half of 2,000 Cebu City residents test positive for antibody vs. COVID-19

Nearly half of 2,000 residents of Cebu City who were randomly selected for rapid testing as part of surveillance efforts tested positive for an antibody against the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

According to Lei Alviz’ “24 Oras” report on Monday, 47.48 percent of 2,000 people from a marketplace in Cebu City tested positive for the antibody IgG.

DOH Region 7 director Dr. Jaime Bernadas said this indicates that more Cebuanos are developing an immune response to the coronavirus.

“Malaking significance ito kasi kung titingnan natin ‘yung random nating surveillance, malapit na tayong umabot sa 50 percent sa mga tao na tinesting na nadapuan ng virus, meron nang IgG,” he said.

“Kaya makikita natin na papalapit na tayo, mas dumadami na tayo na papunta sa herd immunity,” Bernadas added.

Herd immunity is achieved when a big chunk of the population becomes immune to a virus through prior illness or vaccination. 

The World Health Organization earlier underscored that herd immunity “is achieved by protecting people from a virus, not by exposing them to it.” 

The Department of Health also said that further studies are needed on the possibility of Cebu City achieving herd immunity.

“Kailangan pa nating pag-aralan ng mas marami ‘yan. Kapag nakakakuha tayo ng mga ganitong information, ‘wag muna nating isulat o kaya ‘wag muna po nating isipin na totoo kasi lahat po ng ebidensya na ibinibigay, kailangan po may validation ‘yan,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said.—Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News