COVID-19 at a metropolitan region: public polices and social vulnerability within an iniquity context.

Abstract

COVID-19 dramatically impacted social vulnerable regions at the periphery of large Brazilian cities. Besides, low testing capacity resulted in the lack of proper control measures due inconsistent information on the disease behave. Objectives: to estimate seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among Baixada Santista Metropolitan Region (RMBS) population and the impacts of social vulnerability and public policies implemented within an iniquity environment. Methods: a quantitative, cross-sectional study, through a serial serological survey and the application of a questionnaire in stratified population sampling and home drew, in nine municipalities of RMBS. Conclusions: Seroprevalence was 1.4% in the first and 2.2% in the second phase, allowing estimating 15 infected people for each case notified in the first phase, and 10 in the following. Lethality was recalculated to 0.40% and 0.48% in each phase, approaching the international rates. Social vulnerable people were the most affected by the pandemic. Informal work, low income, self-reported skin color as black or brown and ambivalent information regarding prevention should be considered as risk factors. Our results reinforce the relevance of social isolation and the adoption of protective economic and social measures especially for social vulnerable populations