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Background The pandemic due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has tremendous consequences for our societies. Knowledge of the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 is needed to accurately monitor the spread of the epidemic and to calculate the infection fatality rate (IFR). These measures may help the authorities make informed decisions and adjust the current societal interventions. The objective was to perform nationwide real-time seroprevalence surveying among blood donors as a tool to estimate previous SARS-CoV-2 infections and the population-based IFR. Methods Danish blood donors aged 17–69 years giving blood 6 April to 3 May were tested for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin M and G antibodies using a commercial lateral flow test. Antibody status was compared between geographical areas, and an estimate of the IFR was calculated. Seroprevalence was adjusted for assay sensitivity and specificity taking the uncertainties of the test validation into account when reporting the 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results The first 20 640 blood donors were tested, and a combined adjusted seroprevalence of 1.9% (95% CI,.8–2.3) was calculated. The seroprevalence differed across areas. Using available data on fatalities and population numbers, a combined IFR in patients <70 years is estimated at 89 per 100 000 (95% CI, 72–211) infections. Conclusions The IFR was estimated to be slightly lower than previously reported from other countries not using seroprevalence data. The IFR is likely severalfold lower than the current estimate. We have initiated real-time nationwide anti–SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveying of blood donations as a tool in monitoring the epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: The aims of this study were, in people in treatment for drug use in Funen, Denmark, to: (1) assess prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) test uptake and prevalence of HCV; (2) identify predictors of test update and HCV infection; and (3) characterize changes between 1996 and 2015 in test uptake, HCV prevalence and drug use. Design Cohort study linking the Danish National Registry on Drug Users in Treatment to the regional hepatitis test registry and the Danish Death Certificate Registry, thus combining longitudinal data on drug use with data on HCV testing and results. Setting and participants: People recorded as having received treatment for drug use between 1996 and 2015 (n = 5483) in Funen, Denmark. In the cohort, 24.8% were female, median age 23 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 20–32] at entry and 50% had self‐reported injecting or had received opiate substitution therapy (OST). Measurements The main outcomes were the test for HCV ever and latest HCV‐RNA being positive. The main predictors were for test and infection investigated; ever receiving OST, self‐reported injecting, age at entry and connection to treatment centre offering outreach hepatitis care. Findings HCV test uptake was 52% and prevalence of current HCV‐RNA+ was 21% in people alive at the end of follow‐up. Positive predictors of having undergone HCV testing were: receiving OST [odds ratio (OR) = 3.7; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 3.2–4.5], self‐reported injecting (OR = 2.3; 95% CI = 2.0–2.7), female gender (OR = 1.7; 95% CI = 1.4–1.9) and having been connected to centres with outreach hepatitis care (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.2–1.7). In people alive, HCV‐RNA+ prevalence was 31% if ever on OST or self‐reported injecting. Among HCV‐infected people, 69% were in drug use treatment at end of follow‐up. For participants entering the cohort after 2010, only 5% reported opiates as main drug of use and 17% had experience of injecting. Conclusion: Among Danish people in treatment for drug use from 1996 to 2015, receiving opiate substitution therapy had the largest associating to being tested for hepatitis C virus. As opiate use is declining, adapting test strategies will be necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]