In view of rising Covid-19 cases, the State government in collaboration with the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC) would conduct a second phase random serological survey in Bhubaneswar in mid-August.
RMRC Director Sanghamitra Pati said the second-phase sero survey is crucial as its outcome would reflect the infection status of July. “Someone requires four weeks to get infected and develop antibodies and a complete immunity. That’s why we will conduct serological survey in phases,” said Dr Pati.
On July 14, sero survey was conducted in the city which showed the infection status of June. Around 1.4% of the city’s population developed antibodies, she informed.
She said that after Puri and Bhubaneswar, a serological survey was kick-started in Brahmapur on Monday. The survey is being jointly undertaken by RMRC, Brahmapur Municipal Corporation and MKCG Hospital in 25 wards in a random manner. The sample target is 2,500. While 1,500 samples would be collected from community, 1,000 would be drawn from high-risk groups, she added.