COVID-19: Serological survey begins in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: In view of rising number of COVID-19 cases in Bhubaneswar, the Civic authorities today started serological survey in the State capital to know the immunological status of community and high risk groups.

With technical support provided by the Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC), the sero surveillance is being conducted as per COVID-19 guidelines, said Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Prem Chandra Chaudhary.

As per the strategy, samples will be collected randomly from different high risk groups and community members like immuno-compromised patients, healthcare workers, security personnel, media personnel, municipal workers, drivers, prisons, shopkeepers, vendors, airport workers, urban slums, migrant camps and containment zones.

As many as 25 wards under BMC jurisdiction have been selected for the serological survey, the BMC said in a release.

“The survey will be conducted in one cluster in each ward in two rounds. The first round will take around 10-20 days whereas the second round will begin after 28 days of first round as per technical mandate. The exact date will be decided later,” the release stated.

Presently, the BMC has formed 5 teams comprising of lab technicians for the first round of the surveillance. Each team consists of around 7-10 members. Under guidance of RMRC personnel, the teams will collect samples from community members on July 11 and 12.

As estimated roughly, about 1600 samples will be collected from high risk and slum pockets and 900 from community members. In first round, a total number of 2500 samples will be collected for the survey.

Here’re the wards under three BMC zones selected for survey:

Concerned ward officer under Zonal Deputy Commissioner (ZDC) will guide the team to find clusters.