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Abstract

Background

Robust data on SARS-CoV-2 population seroprevalence supplement surveillance data in providing evidence for public health action.

Aim

To conduct a SARS-CoV-2 population-based seroprevalence survey in Ireland.

Methods

Using a cross-sectional study design, we selected population samples from individuals aged 12–69 years in counties Dublin and Sligo using the Health Service Executive Primary Care Reimbursement Service database as a sampling frame. Samples were selected with probability proportional to the general population age–sex distribution, and by simple random sampling within age–sex strata. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected using the Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG Assay and confirmed using the Wantai Assay. We estimated the population SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence weighted for age, sex and geographic area.

Results

Participation rates were 30% (913/3,043) and 44% (820/1,863) in Dublin and Sligo. Thirty-three specimens had detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (1.9%). We estimated weighted seroprevalences of 3.12% (95% confidence interval (CI): 2.05–4.53) and 0.58% (95% CI: 0.18–1.38) for Dublin and Sligo, and 1.69% (95% CI: 1.13–2.41) nationally. This equates to an estimated 59,482 (95% CI: 39,772–85,176) people aged 12–69 years nationally having had infection with SARS-CoV-2, 3.0 (95% CI: 2.0–4.3) times higher than confirmed notifications. Ten participants reported a previous laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 -infection; eight of these were antibody-positive. Twenty-five antibody-positive participants had not reported previous laboratory-confirmed infection.

Conclusion

The majority of people in Ireland are unlikely to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 by June–July 2020. Non-pharmaceutical public health measures remained key pending widespread availability of vaccination, and effective treatments.

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/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001741
2021-12-02
2024-04-19
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001741
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The Study to Investigate COVID-19 Infection in People Living in Ireland (SCOPI): A seroprevalence study, June to July 2020
<p class="citation"> <span>Citation style for this article:</span> <span class="meta-value authors"> <a href="/search?value1=Laura+Heavey&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Heavey Laura</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Patricia+Garvey&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Garvey Patricia</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Aoife+M+Colgan&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Colgan Aoife M</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Lelia+Thornton&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Thornton Lelia</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Jeff+Connell&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Connell Jeff</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Thomas+Roux&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Roux Thomas</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Meadhbh+Hunt&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Hunt Meadhbh</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Fiona+O%26apos%3BCallaghan&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">O&apos;Callaghan Fiona</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Fiona+Culkin&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Culkin Fiona</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Mary+Keogan&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Keogan Mary</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Nuala+O%26apos%3BConnor&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">O&apos;Connor Nuala</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Margaret+B+O%26apos%3BSullivan&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">O&apos;Sullivan Margaret B</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Siobh%C3%A1n+O%E2%80%99Sullivan&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">O’Sullivan Siobhán</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Michele+Tait&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Tait Michele</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Cillian+F+De+Gascun&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">De Gascun Cillian F</a>, <a href="/search?value1=Derval+Igoe&option1=author&noRedirect=true" class="nonDisambigAuthorLink">Igoe Derval</a></span>. The Study to Investigate COVID-19 Infection in People Living in Ireland (SCOPI): A seroprevalence study, June to July 2020. <a href="/content/ecdc">Euro Surveill.</a> 2021;26(48):pii=2001741. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001741" title="doi link" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001741</a> <span class="ES_Article_citation"> <span class="generated">Received</span>: 23 Sept 2020;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="generated">Accepted</span>: 20 Apr 2021 </span> </p>
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001741
/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2021.26.48.2001741
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