Delhi: Second round of sero survey over, results in 10 days

NEW DELHI: The second serological survey being carried out by the Delhi government in the capital, which started from four districts on August 1, was completed on Friday. Around 15,000 blood samples were collected from the 11 revenue districts and the results are expected in the next 10 days.

"The collection of samples in several districts was completed by Thursday. The other districts finished it around 4pm on Friday," a Delhi government official said. "Though the number of blood samples is lower than the first survey, it is adequate to determine the prevalence of Covid-19 antibodies in the community. The result is expected to be shared between August 15 and 17."

The first survey, conducted in Delhi between June-end and first week of July, had revealed the presence of Covid-19 antibodies in around 24% of the total 21,387 samples collected. After the survey results were declared, Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain had announced that a sero-survey will be carried out in the first week of every month to determine the actual spread of the novel coronavirus in the city and the government believes that the result of the second round will show around 35% prevalence of antibodies in samples.

The samples were collected randomly, with adequate weightage to all age groups and areas. The number of samples collected from different districts also varies according to population and hence, while more than 2,000 samples were collected from Northwest and West districts, less than 1,000 were taken from New Delhi district.

While the government plans to carry out monthly surveys between 1 and 5, the date was extended due to festivals in August. "For the first serological survey, health workers had chosen every fifth house from a selected locality. For this survey, however, we selected residents of the identified locations through a randomised sampling technique and most are asked to visit their nearest dispensary for giving blood samples," the official said.