Low SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in blood donors in the early COVID-19 epidemic in the Netherlands

Ed Slot (), Boris M. Hogema, Chantal B. E. M. Reusken, Johan H. Reimerink, Michel Molier, Jan H. M. Karregat, Johan IJlst, Věra M. J. Novotný, René A. W. Lier and Hans L. Zaaijer ()
Additional contact information
Ed Slot: Sanquin Research
Boris M. Hogema: Sanquin Research
Chantal B. E. M. Reusken: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Johan H. Reimerink: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment
Michel Molier: Sanquin Research
Jan H. M. Karregat: Sanquin Research
Johan IJlst: Sanquin Laboratory Services
Věra M. J. Novotný: Sanquin Blood Bank
René A. W. Lier: Sanquin Research
Hans L. Zaaijer: Sanquin Research

Nature Communications, 2020, vol. 11, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Abstract The world is combating an ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with health-care systems, society and economies impacted in an unprecedented way. It is unclear how many people have contracted the causative coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) unknowingly and are asymptomatic. Therefore, reported COVID-19 cases do not reflect the true scale of outbreak. Here we present the prevalence and distribution of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in a healthy adult population of the Netherlands, which is a highly affected country, using a high-performance immunoassay. Our results indicate that one month into the outbreak (i) the seroprevalence in the Netherlands was 2.7% with substantial regional variation, (ii) the hardest-hit areas showed a seroprevalence of up to 9.5%, (iii) the seroprevalence was sex-independent throughout age groups (18–72 years), and (iv) antibodies were significantly more often present in younger people (18–30 years). Our study provides vital information on the extent of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in a country where social distancing is in place.

Date: 2020
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19481-7

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