NEW Delhi: In the face of a global pandemic, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) started conducting sero-survey from May to identify the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in the nation. Serology surveys involve testing blood samples for the presence of antibodies, which can be traced after 2-3 weeks of infection. The test is fast but not as accurate as RT-PCR tests. ICMR’s first nationwide sero-survey found COVID-19 prevalence up to 48 per cent in the country. The data on hotspots and containment zones was submitted to respective state authorities to work accordingly.
The ICMR has completed its second round of nationwide serosurvey. In an official statement by the organization, it said, “The final phase analysis of the survey is now underway and will offer a comparison with the results of the first survey.” The survey aims to determine how the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection has changed in India in the unlock phase in comparison to the report in May when there was a nationwide lockdown. The complete and final result of the survey is expected to be made public by the end of this month.