A serological survery has revealed that six out of ten people from Asia's biggest slum, Dharavi, can be identified as antibodies for the novel coronavirus.

The findings were revealed in a serological survey conducted in July from 6,936 people across three suburbs in Mumbai, India.

The survey reveals that more than half of the population has suffered and recovered from COVID-19. This is may be one of the highest population immunity levels known worldwide.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/half-of-mumbais-slum-residents-have-had-coronavirus-says-study-316613">Also read|&nbsp;Half of Mumbai's slum residents have had coronavirus, says study</a>

“Mumbai’s slums may have reached herd immunity,” said Jayaprakash Muliyil, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of India’s National Institute of Epidemiology, and the retired head of one of its premier medical colleges. “If people in Mumbai want a safe place to avoid infection, they should probably go there.”

The study was conducted by&nbsp;municipal authorities and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

This is being categorised as one of the biggest herd immunity groups in the world. In a 'herd immunity' approach, the disease is consciously allowed to run through the area and citizens to produce more antibodies. However, in the case of Dharavi, the approach was not consciously adopted.

Dharavi, located on the West Coast of India, houses nearly&nbsp;1,000,000 people from the lower-income groups. It is considered to be Asia's biggest slum and one of the most densely populated areas of the world.

When the coronavirus started to spread across the locality, it was predicted that it would be very difficult to contain the spread of the deadly virus.

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However, the steep decline in the number of positive cases tells a different story. First few cases in Dharavi were tested in the beginning of April and then the cases grew rapidly in numbers. However, in the last one month, the figures have decreased in a manner which can either be credited to an excellent response by the local bodies, or can be used as a proof that Dharavi has unknowingly reached herd immunity.

“One explanation is they did an excellent job containing it, the other is that herd immunity has been reached,” Muliyil said. “The virus does its work. The virus doesn’t worry about your quarantine and it is much more efficient than your efforts to contain it.”

Dharavi has only recorded nearly 253 coronavirus-related deaths till day, which can again contribute to the theory of herd immunity.

Experts also seem to believe that India's capital, New Delhi, may also be on its way to becoming another city with herd immunity as few studies earlier this month revealed that&nbsp;a quarter of the population had been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

A serological survery has revealed that six out of ten people from Asia's biggest slum, Dharavi, can be identified as antibodies for the novel coronavirus. The findings were revealed in a serological survey conducted in July from 6,936 people across three suburbs in Mumbai, India.

A serological survery has revealed that six out of ten people from Asia's biggest slum, Dharavi, can be identified as antibodies for the novel coronavirus. The findings were revealed in a serological survey conducted in July from 6,936 people across three suburbs in Mumbai, India. The survey reveals that more than half of the population has suffered and recovered from COVID-19. This is may be one of the highest population immunity levels known worldwide. Also read| Half of Mumbai's slum residents have had coronavirus, says study “Mumbai’s slums may have reached herd immunity,” said Jayaprakash Muliyil, chairman of the Scientific Advisory Committee of India’s National Institute of Epidemiology, and the retired head of one of its premier medical colleges. “If people in Mumbai want a safe place to avoid infection, they should probably go there.” The study was conducted by municipal authorities and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. This is being categorised as one of the biggest herd immunity groups in the world. In a 'herd immunity' approach, the disease is consciously allowed to run through the area and citizens to produce more antibodies. However, in the case of Dharavi, the approach was not consciously adopted. Dharavi, located on the West Coast of India, houses nearly 1,000,000 people from the lower-income groups. It is considered to be Asia's biggest slum and one of the most densely populated areas of the world. When the coronavirus started to spread across the locality, it was predicted that it would be very difficult to contain the spread of the deadly virus. × However, the steep decline in the number of positive cases tells a different story. First few cases in Dharavi were tested in the beginning of April and then the cases grew rapidly in numbers. However, in the last one month, the figures have decreased in a manner which can either be credited to an excellent response by the local bodies, or can be used as a proof that Dharavi has unknowingly reached herd immunity. “One explanation is they did an excellent job containing it, the other is that herd immunity has been reached,” Muliyil said. “The virus does its work. The virus doesn’t worry about your quarantine and it is much more efficient than your efforts to contain it.” Dharavi has only recorded nearly 253 coronavirus-related deaths till day, which can again contribute to the theory of herd immunity. Experts also seem to believe that India's capital, New Delhi, may also be on its way to becoming another city with herd immunity as few studies earlier this month revealed that a quarter of the population had been exposed to the novel coronavirus.

Dharavi: Asia's biggest slum may have reached 'herd immunity' unknowingly

The number of coronavirus positive patients in Dharavi, the biggest slum in Mumbai, increased to 2,359 on Friday with the addition of 12 cases, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said.

The civic body has, however, stopped disclosing the number of COVID-19 deaths, if any, in the slum-dominated area for the past few days.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-maharashtra-continues-to-remain-the-worst-hit-state-312228">Covid-19: Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-hit state</a>

Dharavi currently has 166 active cases and 1,952 patients have been discharged from hospitals following recovery so far, the official said.

According to him, more number of COVID-19 cases are being reported from Dadar and Mahim areas of the G- North administrative ward of the BMC, than from Dharavi, which is also a part of that ward.

Dadar and Mahim reported 35 and 23 new cases, respectively, in the last 24 hours, he added.

Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, is spread across 2.5 square km and has a population of around 6.5 lakh with people living in tiny houses.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

The number of coronavirus positive patients in Dharavi, the biggest slum in Mumbai, increased to 2,359 on Friday with the addition of 12 cases, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said.

The number of coronavirus positive patients in Dharavi, the biggest slum in Mumbai, increased to 2,359 on Friday with the addition of 12 cases, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said. The civic body has, however, stopped disclosing the number of COVID-19 deaths, if any, in the slum-dominated area for the past few days. Also read | Covid-19: Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-hit state Dharavi currently has 166 active cases and 1,952 patients have been discharged from hospitals following recovery so far, the official said. According to him, more number of COVID-19 cases are being reported from Dadar and Mahim areas of the G- North administrative ward of the BMC, than from Dharavi, which is also a part of that ward. Dadar and Mahim reported 35 and 23 new cases, respectively, in the last 24 hours, he added. Dharavi, the largest slum in Asia, is spread across 2.5 square km and has a population of around 6.5 lakh with people living in tiny houses.

Dharavi, Asia's largest slum reports 12 new COVID-19 cases

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Dharavi: Asia's biggest slum may have reached 'herd immunity' unknowingly

Dharavi, Asia's largest slum reports 12 new COVID-19 cases