ISC Member, the The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) invite you to join a webinar presenting the findings of the South African National COVID-19 Antibody Survey (NCAS). The survey conducted during the period November 2020-June 2021 aimed to estimate the number of South Africans that had been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including those who may have been infected but did not get tested, either due to being asymptomatic or not being able to access testing.
The survey established that women were more likely to be infected than men, probably due to gendered roles that predispose them to infection. It further found that people aged 18 to 35 years were less likely to be infected compared to those aged 12 to 17 years, suggestive of different mingling patterns among young people compared to those who are older.
These results of the survey gives a national picture of COVID-19 infection 14 months into the epidemic before wide-scale vaccination roll out and indicate a need for a differentiated response to address the variable infection burden by province, metro area and locality type and gender. The results support government’s call for vaccination of all eligible people.
Programme
- Opening Remarks Chair
Prof Leickness Simbayi, HSRC - Presentation of the state of the epidemic
Prof Adrian Puren, NICD - Presentation of the National COVID-19 antibody Prevalence Survey Findings
Prof Sizulu Moyo, HSRC - Implications for response
Prof Khangelani Zuma, HSRC - Comments
Dr Gugu Ngubane, Solidarity Fund - Comments
Prof Yonah Seleti, Department of Science and Innovation - Discussion
- Closure Chair
Prof Leickness Simbayi, HSRC
The Department of Science and Innovation funds this seminar series. The views and opinions expressed therein as well as findings and statements of the seminar series do not necessarily represent the views of the DSI. Please note that this seminar will be recorded and published on the HSRC podcast channel. The HSRC complies with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013. Any person who sends unsolicited commercial communications to stakeholders, must provide
the stakeholders with the option to cancel their subscription to that mailing list. To unsubscribe as per POPIA, please email us at infoofficer@hsrc.ac.za.
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