Press release: 12.396-236/20

4.7% of the Austrian population had antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in mid/end October

Vienna, 2020-12-11 – From the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic until mid/end of October 2020, 349 000 people in Austria aged 16 and over living in private households had formed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and thus have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 [95% confidence interval: 282 000–420 000]. Of these infections about 61% were officially undetected (based on data of the Austrian epidemiological reporting system). These are results of the nationwide COVID-19 prevalence study by Statistics Austria and the Medical University of Vienna on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and in cooperation with the Austrian Red Cross.

From 12 to 14 November 2020, blood samples were collected from 2 229 persons. Neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 92 samples. Based on scientific studies it can be assumed that virus-specific antibodies can be reliably detected after a period of about three weeks. Accordingly, the testing period from 12 to 14 November 2020 reflects the infection situation in Austria until mid/end of October.

The estimated percentage of SARS-CoV-2 infected persons that have formed antibodies by mid/end October in the Austrian population aged 16 years and older living in private households was 4.7%.

For more detailed information please refer to the German version.