SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Compared with Confirmed COVID-19 Cases among Children, Colorado, USA, May-July 2021

To compare SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among children with seropositive confirmed COVID-19 case counts (case ascertainment by molecular amplification) in Colorado, USA, we conducted a cross-sectional sero- survey during May-July 2021. For a convenience sample of 829 Colorado children, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 36.7%, compared with prevalence of 6.5% according to individually matched COVID-19 test results reported to public health. Compared with non-Hispanic White children, seroprevalence was higher among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic other race children, and case as- certainment was significantly lower among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children. This serosurvey accurately estimated SARS-CoV-2 prevalence among children com- pared with confirmed COVID-19 case counts and revealed substantial racial/ethnic disparities in infections and case ascertainment. Continued efforts to address racial and ethnic differences in disease burden and to overcome po- tential barriers to case ascertainment, including access to testing, may help mitigate these ongoing disparities.

Automated summary

A cross-sectional sero-survey conducted in Colorado, USA, compared SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence among children with seropositive confirmed COVID-19 case counts. The survey found that seroprevalence was 36.7% among 829 Colorado children, higher than the reported prevalence of 6.5% based on COVID-19 test results. Racial/ethnic disparities in infections and case ascertainment were observed, with higher seroprevalence among Hispanic, non-Hispanic Black, and non-Hispanic children of other races, and lower case ascertainment among Hispanic and non-Hispanic Black children.