COVID-19 Seroepidemiology Study of Yazd Province, First Peak, Spring 2020: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

SARS-COV 19 is a new coronavirus that was reported first time in 30 December 2019 in Wuhan, China. The first case of coronary heart disease in Iran was reported with a definitive test on February 18 in Qom province and the first case in Yazd province on 24 February. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Covid infection on March 11 a pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of COVID 19 in Yazd province.

The present study was a cross-sectional population-based study of seroepidemiological type that was conducted to investigate the serological prevalence of Covid-19 in the period of 3 to 20 May 2020 in Yazd Province. Sampling was clustered and it was without age and sex restrictions. Information was collected including demographic information, adherence to health protocols, and history of clinical symptoms of COVID 19. "Pishtaz ELISA Kit" was used to evaluate the IgG and IgM antibody titers against Covid 19. Chi-square, analysis of variance and T tests were used via SPSS.version.16 software

Mean age of the participants was 34.3± 17.5. Among the study participants, 507 (54.5%) were women. The serological prevalence of definite cases was 14.91% (95% CI: 12.91-16.91%) and suspicious cases were 2.85% (95% CI:1.85-3.85%). Ardakan City with 32% had the highest and Taft, Mehriz, Khatam with 7% had the lowest prevalence of COVID 19 (P <0.05).

By June 2020, nearly 18% of the population of the province was definitively or suspiciously infected with COVID 19. Unfortunately, up to 25% of the population does not follow the early prevention protocols of COVID 19.