COVID-19 Pune: Serological survey findings to be out today

Pune: The findings of the serological survey conducted by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) will be out by today evening. Divisional Commissioner Saurabh Rao, PMC Commissioner Vikram Kumar and IISER’s Prof Shashidhar will make the announcement in the next few hours.

The survey will reveal the coronavirus spread in the city, areas with symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, and the age group of citizens affected by the outbreak.

Dr Arti Nagarkar, Coordinator of the survey said, “Blood samples have been collected from the candidates in collaboration with the Pune Municipal Corporation. Experienced people were selected for this. We have found out whether there are any antibodies developed in the blood samples of the citizens.”

The analysis of blood samples can be used to estimate the immunity of the citizens in the city, but also to implement measures in the fight against Covid-19. In a way, the city is going to gather a lot of information about the spread of the coronavirus and the health of the citizens.

HERE'S HOW THE SURVEY WENT

• Candidates were selected in a scientific manner
• The trained team went home to take samples of the selected candidates
• Blood sample of the concerned person was collected as required
• Candidates will receive their health reports in September

WHAT WILL BE THE SURVEY FINDINGS

• The spread of Covid-19 in the city
• The areas in which the antibodies are formed will be known
• Some will also be diagnosed with Covid-19
• The infection spread followed by the prediction of how to manage it further

FUTURE ADVANTAGE

• Understand which part of the city has the best immunity
• With that in view, the measures to be taken now and in the future will be predicted.
• Before the vaccine arrives, it will be estimated who needs it first
• Will help in the management of health facilities
• This information will be useful for future research

SURVEY

• Sampling pool: 1,520
• Blood required for one sample: 5 ml

Preservation of samples: 1 year