Half of people in São Paulo have Covid-19 antibodies, says study

A study conducted by the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) between April and May revealed that 41.6 percent of the unvaccinated adult population in the city of São Paulo has already developed some level of Covid-19 antibodies. 

If vaccinated individuals are taken into consideration, the rate climbs to 51.5 percent — still below the 70-percent level required to achieve herd immunity. The research suggests that around 3.5 million people have been infected in the city, mainly during the second Covid-19 wave in March and April. Municipal health authorities have confirmed only 758,000 cases so far. 

Cross-referencing data by race, gender, and income showed that coronavirus infections are more likely among poor, black, and low-educated women in São Paulo. The city’s poorest regions have seen 12 percent more cases on average.

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