Serological survey to analyse COVID-19 spread commences in Delhi

A serological survey to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the spread of COVID-19 in Delhi commenced in some parts of the city on Saturday with nearly 600 samples collected on the first day amid a rise in the number of coronavirus cases.

As part of the survey, blood samples of 20,000 people will be tested to ascertain the presence of anti-bodies, the Union health ministry has said.

The exercise will be jointly carried out by the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Delhi government till July 10.

According to a Delhi government official, nearly 600 samples were collected on the first day and more than 32 teams were on the ground. The survey will pick up pace from Sunday, the official added.

"The serological survey has started from Saturday and will cover 20,000 people. The survey is being conducted door to door and will reveal the extent of coronavirus spread in Delhi," Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in an online briefing.

His deputy Manish Sisodia echoed similar views.

"Sero Testing has been started from today in the fight against Corona in Delhi. Under this, 20 thousand blood sample will be taken from all over Delhi. This test will prove to be very effective in the Delhi government's campaign against Corona," he wrote on Twitter.

The survey began in Central district on Saturday, officials said, adding that the response from the public was good and 450 blood samples were collected on the first day itself. The target was to collect 700 samples, the officials said.

The district has deployed 30 teams comprising accredited social health activists (ASHA) and laboratory technicians for collecting samples.

The survey also began in the Kewal Park area of north Delhi, a North district official said, adding that since it was the first day, the emphasis was on putting logistics to the ground. The response of the people will be known in the next two-three days. Nine teams have been formed to complete the survey, the official said.

In Southwest district, the collection of samples commenced in some areas but will start in full swing from Sunday, an official said.

According to an official from East district, the NCDC would train the laboratory technicians on how to collect samples on Saturday and they are likely to commence the exercise from Monday.

Similarly, in Southeast district, the survey did not start on Saturday as logistics were being worked out.

An official from Northeast district said the survey will begin there from Monday.

In New Delhi district, the survey will begin from Monday as the laboratory technicians and workers are currently being trained.  

The serological survey is part of a new COVID-19 response plan prepared by the Delhi health department, in accordance with the recommendations of a committee headed by NITI Aayog member V K Paul. The committee comes under the Union health ministry.

Serology (antibody) tests are largely used for surveillance among a community. They can be used on those who have already tested positive for COVID-19 or even those who are asymptomatic, and can reveal insights on immunity against the coronavirus. 

The national capital recorded 2,948 fresh coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total case count past the 80,000-mark, and 66 more deaths due to the disease, authorities said on Saturday.

After June 22, it was the first time that the number of cases per day fell below the 3,000-mark in the city. 

The number of COVID-19 patients now stands at 80,188 in the national capital and the death toll due to the disease at 2,558, according to a latest Delhi health department bulletin.