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.
Also Read
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.