Abstract
Abstract
The purpose of the seroepidemiological study was to assess the population immunity to COVID-19 coronavirus infection in the population of the Kyrgyz Republic, depending on gender, age and geographical distribution to justify
public health responses. Methods. Cross-sectional stratified serological study was conducted from 26.06.2020 through 25.08.2020 in all the regions of Kyrgyzstan. Primary health care organizations were randomly selected from the list of people, enrolled to each primary health care provider for a random selection of participants. Trained health workers interviewed the participants about their age, gender, COVID-19 symptoms, seeking health care behavior and hospital admission. They also collected blood
samples to determine the total amount of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were describedby age groups, gender and region. Results. Among 4691 studied individuals, 1446 -30,8% (95% CI 29,5-32,1) had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Seropositivity was lowest in the younger age group 0-9 years (16,5%; 95% CI 13,8-19,2) compared to older age groups,including 45-64 years (36,1%; 95% CI 33,5-38,7), as well as to men (27,2%; 95% CI 24,8-29,4) and women (32,5%; 95% CI 31,0-34,2). Seroprevalence in the southern regions ranged from 13,0 (95% CI 9,7-16,3) to 16,3% (95% CI 14,0 -18,6), and in the north from 46,0 (95% CI 40,7-51,3) to 62,7% (95% CI 59,2-69,2). Of 1446 seropositive individuals, 925 (64%; 95% CI 62,2-65,4) had COVID-19 symptoms, ranging from 45,0 (95% CI 36,1-53,9) in the 0-9 year age group to 71% (95% CI 60,3-81,7) in persons over 65 years old. Of 1446 seropositive - 315 people (21,8%) sought for health care, and a high share of health care seeking is observed in people over 65 years - 19/69 (27,5%). 80 seropositive individuals (5,5%) were
hospitalized. Discussion. The results indicate that 70% of the population remainssusceptible to Coronavirus infection, which necessitated vaccination amongtheadult population. Also, most of children remain SARS-C0V-2 virus seropositive. Low rates of clinical symptoms, health care seeking and hospital admissionsinformed recommendations for treating patients with a mild disease course on anoutpatient basis.