Covid-19: Fifth sero-survey to start from July 15

Beneficiaries queue up to get vaccinated in Kandivli. Pic/Satej Shinde

The fifth round of sero-survey will be conducted July 15 onwards, before the possible onset of a third wave of Covid-19. In the fourth survey, which was recently concluded, it was revealed that more than 50 per cent of the children in Mumbai have antibodies against Covid-19. In the third survey, the BMC had found that the antibodies in the slum population had been declining in comparison to the first survey, which was conducted in July 2020.

A BMC official, seeking anonymity, said, "The fifth survey should conclude in August. Around 150 blood samples from all the 24 wards in the city will be collected and tested for antibodies. The samples will be analysed from the slum pockets as well as other areas. The results will be helpful in tackling a possible third wave."

After more than 50 lakh people received at least one dose of vaccine, the civic body has expected antibodies to show in more number of people. It is anticipated that the slum population and children may be at risk in the third wave.

In the recent fourth survey, the BMC collected and tested 2,176 blood samples of children below 18 years and found 51.18 per cent sero-positivity. In the third sero-survey, which was conducted in March for all age groups, it was found that sero-positivity against Covid-19 increased in non-slum areas and decreased in slum areas.

150
No. of blood samples to be collected from 24 wards