Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Could Mumbai's Slums Be Headed to Herd Immunity? Anjana Pasricha NEW DELHI - A recent survey in Mumbai's slums finds that more than half of the residents have developed antibodies for COVID-19, indicating that some of India's most densely packed settlements, which pose the greatest challenge in containing the spread of the infection, could be heading toward "herd immunity." While urban slums may be inadvertently developing population immunity, though, officials are ruling it out as an option in tackling the rampaging infection, saying it could never be a choice but only an outcome. "Herd immunity" is achieved when a large part of the community develops antibodies against the virus, acting as a wall against its further spread. India is a global hotspot for COVID-19, with infections topping 1.6 million. .