Serological studies to quantify SARS-CoV-2 population infection risk in Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand

Year of award: 2020

Grantholders

  • Dr Clarence Tam

    National University of Singapore

  • Dr Chee Fu Yung

    KK Women's and Children's Hospital

  • Dr Kathryn Anderson

    Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences

  • Dr Stefan Fernandez

    Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences

  • Prof Benjamin Cowling

    University of Hong Kong

  • Prof Lin-Fa Wang

    National University of Singapore

Project summary

We propose a prospective serological study to investigate the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population in three settings in Asia: Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand. 

The study aims to measure the age-specific seroprevalence and incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection at three time points, each six months apart. We will apply age-specific incidence estimates to the census population to obtain numbers of infections in the population at each time point. These estimates will be compared with external data on COVID-19 hospitalisations and deaths in each setting, to calculate age-specific infection-hospitalisation and infection-fatality ratios. 

We will define SARS-CoV-2 antibody kinetics by studying changes in antibody titres over time. Risk factors for infection will be studied by comparing SARS-CoV-2 seroconverters and non-seroconverters with respect to epidemiological exposures. 

This study will provide crucial information regarding population exposure and SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. It will give a complete picture of the relationship between clinically apparent and asymptomatic infections.