ICMR Conducting Serological Survey Across India

Speaking at a press briefing, Director-General ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava said that the ICMR is conducting a serological survey to determine the proportion of the population that has been infected by SARS-CoV-2.

The survey is being conducted with the aim of answering three questions: What percentage of the general population has been infected? Who are at a higher risk of being infected? Which are the areas where containment efforts need to be strengthened?

The results are based on the surveys conducted five-six weeks into the lockdown. A total of 28,595 households were visited in 65 districts for collection of blood samples. A total of 736 districts have been surveyed so far. 0.73% of the respondents in the survey had been exposed to the coronavirus. The risk of infection in urban areas and urban slums is 1.09 and 1.89 times higher than rural areas. Infection fatality has been recorded at 0.08%.

Dr Bharagava said that physical distancing, use of face masks, hand hygiene and cough etiquette must be followed strictly.