Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in New York City Adults, June-October 2020: A Population-Based Survey

Background. Serosurveys help to ascertain burden of infection. Prior severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) serosurveys in New York City (NYC) used nonrandom samples. During June-October 2020, the NYC Health Department conducted a population-based survey estimating SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence in NYC adults. Methods. Participants were recruited from the NYC 2020 Community Health Survey. We estimated citywide and stratified antibody prevalence using a hybrid design: serum tested with the DiaSorin LIAISON SARS-CoV-2 S1 /S2 IgG assay and self-reported antibody test results were used together. We estimated univariate frequencies and 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for complex survey design. Two-sided P values .05 were statistically significant. Results. There were 1074 respondents; 497 provided blood and 577 provided only a self-reported antibody test result. Weighted prevalence was 24.3% overall (95% CI, 20.7%-28.3%). Latino (30.7%; 95% CI, 24.1%-38.2%; P < .01) and black (30.7%; 95% CI, 21.9%-41.2%; P = .02) respondents had a higher weighted prevalence compared with white respondents (17.4%; 95% CI, 12.5%-23.7%). Conclusions. By October 2020, nearly 1 in 3 black and 1 in 3 Latino NYC adults had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, highlighting unequal impacts of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on black and Latino NYC adults.

Automated summary

A population-based survey in New York City estimated SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence, revealing that by October 2020, nearly 1 in 3 black and Latino adults in NYC had antibodies. This highlights the unequal impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on these communities.