Enhanced surveillance of COVID-19 in Scotland: population-based seroprevalence surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 during the first wave of the epidemic

This work was funded by the Scottish Government.Objectives: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland has been amongst the most severe in Europe. Serological surveillance is critical to determine the overall extent of infection across populations and to inform the public health response. This study aimed to estimate the proportion of people who have antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 ('seroprevalence') in the general population of Scotland and to see if this changes over time. Study Design/Methods: Between International Organization for Standardization (ISO) week 17 (i.e. week commencing 20th April) and ISO week 25 (week commencing 15 June), 4751 residual blood samples were obtained from regional biochemistry laboratories in six participating regional health authority areas covering approximately 75% of the Scottish population. Samples were tested for the presence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using the LIAISON®SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 IgG assay (DiaSorin, Italy). Seroprevalence rates were adjusted for the sensitivity and specificity of the assay using Bayesian methods. Results: The combined adjusted seroprevalence across the study period was 4.3% (95% confidence interval: 4.2%-4.5%). The proportion varied each week between 1.9% and 6.8% with no difference in antibody positivity by age, sex or geographical area. Conclusions: At the end of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, only a small fraction of the Scottish population had antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. Control of COVID-19 requires the ability to detect asymptomatic and mild infections that would otherwise remain undetected through existing surveillance systems. This is important to determine the true number of infections within the general population which, in turn, can help to understand transmission, inform control measures and provide a denominator for the estimation of severity measures such as the proportion of infected people who have been hospitalised and/or have died.PostprintPeer reviewe

Corsets

By 1860 the corset is longer at the hip and a little trimmer through the torso (from Corsets and crinolines

Bustles

From Corsets and Crinolines. The early bustle line, draped over the old hoop skirt, is now reshaped to a flat front with an extension in back. Gradually the extension becomes smaller and is shaped by a wire form. Sometimes stiff horsehair ruffles supply the necessary shape. Finally the extension becomes shelflik

Corsets

From Corsets and Crinolines. Typical of 1875 is the very rounded shape of the corset and the bust pa

Corsets

The corset of 1845, reasonably comfortable above the waist, creates a rounded fullness. The tiny waist is emphasized (from Corsets and crinolines

Corsets

From Corsets and Crinolines. The bosom sits out over the corset in 1900. The center-front busk forces the body into an S-curve. Full hips are essential to the line; sometimes padding is added to round out the silhouett

Corsets

From Corsets and Crinolines. These corsets form 1878-1880 reflect the change in dress style. The new long-line bodice is fashionable; for a brief time the bustle disappears completel

Bustles

From Corsets and Crinolines. The bustle returns. This 1885 example is made of fabric boned for stiffness. Others are shelflike, jutting out sharply at the wais