Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a fifth sero survey in Mumbai ahead of the third Covid-19 wave.
BMC officials said during a pandemic, the sero prevalence study was conducted to obtain evidence of past virus exposure and to determine the spread of infection in the population.
BMC has conducted four sero surveys in Mumbai since March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic began.
“So far, four surveys have been carried out by BMC in Mumbai.
The first and second sero survey was conducted in July and August 2020 in three wards.
The third survey was conducted on March 202 on 24 wards and fourth survey conducted from May to June 2021 in the age group pediatrics, “said a senior civilian official.
The official said that remembering the anticipated third wave and ongoing ongoing Covid vaccination drives, it was important to know the level of antibodies in the community.
“BMC has conducted Sero Survey 5 with the help of the IDFC Institute and ATE Chandra Foundation, in all 24 wards through the city dispensary for slums, which have been started from Thursday.
For non-slum areas, this survey will be carried out at certain general medical practitioners clinics (GPS).
About 8,000 random samples will be taken in the survey and tested at Sion Hospital, “the official said.