UK Antibodies Prevalence Study Suggests that Minorities Contract COVID-19 at Disproportionately Higher Rates

Many have suggested that minority populations have suffered adverse effects from COVID-19 disproportionate numbers. An August study from the United Kingdom provides powerful evidence to support this theory based on SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence. Here is the low down. The Diagnostic Challenge England experienced a particularly large outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The country’s first COVID-19 death occurred on Feb. 28. By June, England had the highest excess mortality in Europe by June, with in-hospital deaths peaking at 800 per day within six weeks. Hospital admission and mortality data showed that the highest rates of deaths were in older people including those living in long-term care, and in people of minority ethnic groups, particularly Black and Asian (mainly South Asian) individuals. Was there any scientific evidence to support these demographic patterns? That is the question the researchers set out to answer, focusing on antibody data which provides a measure of SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Most infected people mount an IgG antibody response detectable after 14 to 21 days after exposure, although levels may start to wane after approximately 90 days. The study authors hoped to use antibody prevalence data from a large community-based evaluation based on unsupervised use of lateral flow immunochromatographic assay (LFIA) […]