Sero Survey 2 in PCMC to take 5,000 blood samples
Akash Dhanurkar———————————————————————————
A joint project by the D Y Patil Medical Research Institute and Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, the second phase of the survey approaches closer to the target of 5000 tests. The seven day survey concluded by conducting over 3000 tests eight designated and high importance wards. The survey began on October 7, 2020. The survey is expected to complete in the next one week.
This survey is called a Sero-prevalence survey which was carried out mainly to identify the IGG antibodies in the community of people recovered, recovering, diagnosed or not diagnosed from the COVID. However, these anti bodies are developed after the person is exposed to the virus. The IGG antibodies also stay in the body for a long time. These antibodies are found in them who have recovered from the COVID, tested positive/negative for COVID.
However, on speaking with project head, Dr Atul Desale from DY Patil Medical and Research center said, “More than 3000 tests have been conducted. All the high-risk areas and the slums were identified, based on which samples were collected from these areas. Housing societies are yet to be tapped and in the coming days we may look to complete our target of collecting 5000 samples.”
On asking about the results of the tests, he said, “Once we are done completing the samples, we will be able to send the results to the PCMC after 10 – 15 days.”
Speaking with Shravan Hardikar about the survey, he informed, “It will be completed in the coming two weeks time. It is being conducted on the blood samples of 5000 people where only medical history shall be asked and not financial status. People did not know about why this survey was initiated and hence many people objected to the survey. But I assure people that this survey is mainly initiated for your benefit. Family medical history too can be asked in this survey. The survey shall be concluded in the next one week.”
