Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the West Bank region of Palestine: a cross-sectional seroepidemiological study

• Published in: BMJ open 2021-02, Vol.11 (2), p.e044552-e044552
• Main Authors: Qutob, Nouar, Awartani, Faisal, Salah, Zaidoun, Asia, Mohammad, Abu Khader, Imad, Herzallah, Khaled, Balqis, Nadeen, Sallam, Husam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age groups; Antibodies; Antibodies, Viral - blood; Asymptomatic; Chronic illnesses; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - diagnosis; COVID-19 - epidemiology; COVID-19 Serological Testing; Cross-Sectional Studies; Epidemiology; Gender; Households; Humans; Immunoassay; immunology; Medical laboratories; Medicare; Middle East - epidemiology; Palestinian people; Population; SARS-CoV-2 - immunology; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Serology; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-044552

ObjectivesSeroprevalence rates are important indicators to the epidemiology of COVID-19 and the extent of the pandemic given the existence of asymptomatic cases. The purpose of this study is to assess the seroprevalence rate in the Palestinian population residing in the West Bank.SettingThe study involved 1355 participants from 11 governorates, including 112 localities in the West Bank and 1136 individuals visiting Palestinian medical laboratories.ParticipantsBlood samples were collected between 15th June 2020 and 30th June 2020 from 1355 individuals from randomly selected households in the West Bank, in addition to 1136 individuals visiting Palestinian medical laboratories between the 1st May 2020 and 9th July 2020 for a routine check-up.Primary and secondary outcome measuresOut of the 2491 blood samples collected, serological tests for 2455 adequate serum samples were done using an immunoassay for qualitative detection of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Seroprevalence was estimated as the proportion of individuals who had a positive result in the total SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the immunoassay.ResultsThe random sample of Palestinians living in the West Bank yielded 0% seroprevalence with 95% and an adjusted CI (0% to 0.0043%), while the lab referral samples yielded an estimated seroprevalence of 0.354% with 95% and an adjusted CI (0.001325% to 0.011566%).ConclusionsOur results indicate that as of mid-June 2020, seroprevalence in Palestine persists low and is inadequate to provide herd immunity, emphasising the need to maintain health measures to keep the outbreak under control. Population-based seroprevalence studies are to be conducted periodically to monitor the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in Palestine and inform policymakers about the efficacy of their surveillance system.