Kathmandu, December 30. According to recent data revealed by Chinese authorities it is found that the COVID-19 cases in Wuhan may have been 10 times more than the recorded tallies.

According to a serological survey of more than 34,000 individuals conducted in April by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 4.4 percent of those surveyed were found to have unique antibodies that can combat the pathogen that triggers Covid-19, suggesting they were infected. some time in the past. The data was released on late Monday, which further revealed that Wuhan was home to about 11 million people, nearly 10 times more than the 50,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases recorded. When the survey was conducted, as many as 500,000 residents could have been infected.

Serological studies are largely carried out to know the true extent of epidemics from AIDS, hepatitis to COVID-19. The results from such surveys can guide mitigation measures and vaccination efforts. The survey from CDC has shown less impact in provinces except Wuhan, largely because lockdown measures was imposed in those areas to contain the virus. Out of the 12,000 people surveyed in six other Chinese cities and provinces, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong, only two individuals tested positive for the antibody.

The results of the study show that Wuhan is still vulnerable for COVID-19 even if their infection rates are in-line with those found in other countries. Epidemiologists have said that still half of the population are yet to be affected by the virus.

China was immensely criticized for their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, with United States questioning the quick virus fallout in Wuhan. They also blamed that they had been revealing the wrong numbers as the wave reached Europe and affected a large number of their population.