Ramakanta Biswas

The Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar is all set to begin state-level serological surveillance in 12 districts of Odisha from tomorrow (August 29).  

The survey will be undertaken in Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Khordha, Puri, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur in order to estimate and compare the age-specific prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the general  population and health care workers across the State.

Additional Chief  Secretary  of Health Department, Pradipta Mohapatra on Saturday wrote to the Collectors of 12 districts to extend necessary support to RMRC teams for the "Odisha State COVID-19 Serosurvey" to be carried out between August 29 and September 15.

Detailing about the survey, Mohapatra wrote, “They will be collecting  6680 samples  from 12 districts  in total  from  the  general population  and 100 samples from  the healthcare  workers  in each of these districts. They are planning sample and data collection  from the various  districts as per the micro-plan.”

The RMRC team will make all their travel, HR  and logistics  arrangements from their end while the district  needs  to support  with the accommodation for the team members and facilitate in the collection of blood samples. 

“You may nominate a nodal  person  at the district  level and inform  their  details (name,  designation, contact number) to Director,  RMRC with whom  their team can coordinate  and carry out field work  in consultation with,” the ACS wrote. 

“It is, therefore, requested  to extend  necessary  support from the district administration  to the full as the findings  from  this  survey  will be useful in informing our COVID-19 management  and vaccination strategy,” he added.

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