Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and Infection Fatality Ratio, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes, Louisiana, USA, May 2020

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Nov;26(11):2766-2769. doi: 10.3201/eid2611.203029. Epub 2020 Jul 30.

Abstract

Using a novel recruitment method and paired molecular and antibody testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, we determined seroprevalence in a racially diverse municipality in Louisiana, USA. Infections were highly variable by ZIP code and differed by race/ethnicity. Overall census-weighted seroprevalence was 6.9%, and the calculated infection fatality ratio was 1.63%.

Keywords: COVID-19; Louisiana; New Orleans; SARS-CoV-2; United States; convalescence; coronavirus disease; cross-sectional studies; healthcare disparities; prevalence; respiratory infections; seroepidemiologic studies; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; viruses; zoonoses.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood*
  • Betacoronavirus* / genetics
  • Betacoronavirus* / immunology
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques / statistics & numerical data*
  • Coronavirus Infections / blood
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / mortality*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Louisiana / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / blood
  • Pneumonia, Viral / mortality*
  • RNA, Viral / blood*
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • RNA, Viral