New Zealand's first nationwide survey to detect Covid-19 antibodies shows a low rate of community transmission

Auckland University researchers worked with the New Zealand Blood Service to collect 10-thousand samples throughout the country.

Of 18 that tested positive for Covid antibodies, eight of them are potentially undetected community cases.

Associate professor Nikki Moreland says it's striking that prevalence of antibodies is only 0.1 per cent.

She says in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, studies have shown prevalence of more than 10 per cent.

The study is not yet peer reviewed.