The latest seroprevalence survey reveals that 67.6 percent of the Indian population has antibodies against the coronavirus. But, what is the serosurvey all about? Read to learn all about it.
What is the serosurvey?
Serosurvey is the testing of blood serum for individuals. It helps in monitoring trends in the prevalence of the coronavirus at the district level. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in collaboration with the state health department are conducting them. This mode of surveillance is an extension of mass testing that the government is conducting.
What is the use of sero-testing?
The results of the sero-analysis can help in focusing on high-risk and low-risk groups in each district when conducted along with regular testing. Additionally, it will help the government in monitoring coronavirus infection trends and monitor community transmission. However, the health ministry has not found any community transmission. But, there are large outbreaks and an exponential rise in the number of cases.
How is sero-testing done?
The sero-tests take place in 10 health facilities—four private and six government centers in each district. Both high-risk and low-risk populations are a part of the testing program. Hence, it ranges from outpatients to pregnant women and even health care workers. Sero analysis studies consist of 200 samples per week and a total of 800 samples every month. Additionally, the samples should also contain a minimum of 100 samples from a high-risk population and 50 samples from a low-risk population every week.
More on the testing methods
Both private and government testing agencies conduct the analysis using a combination of ELISA antibody testing and RT-PCR tests. Throat and nose swabs are important for RT-PCR tests. In addition to this, samples are also collected for IgG antibody detection through ELISA.
But, in the following rounds, the IgG testing will completely replace RT-PCR testing. However, the results of the samples are merely for surveillance and not for individual diagnosis. https://drlauryn.com/ The ELISA test kits being used have a sensitivity of 92 percent and a specificity of 97 percent.