The real seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in France and its consequences for virus dynamics

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 15;11(1):12597. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-92131-0.

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 virus has spread world-wide since December 2019, killing more than 2.9 million of people. We have adapted a statistical model from the SIR epidemiological models to predict the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in France. Our model is based on several parameters and assumed a 4.2% seroprevalence in Occitania after the first lockdown. The recent use of serological tests to measure the effective seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the population of Occitania has led to a seroprevalence around 2.4%. This implies to review the parameters of our model to conclude at a lower than expected virus transmission rate, which may be due to infectivity varying with the patient's symptoms or to a constraint due to an uneven population geographical distribution.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 Serological Testing*
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Female
  • France / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Statistical
  • Seroepidemiologic Studies