NEW SERO SURVEY: TEAMS TO COLLECT 25-40 SAMPLES PER DAY

New Delhi, Aug. 2: The new sero-prevalence survey in the national capital will exclude those who were part of the previous exercise and 25 per cent of the fresh samples in all districts will be taken from persons aged 50 and above, according to a standard operating procedure prescribed for it. As per the SOP for the survey that began on Saturday, each sample collection team is to collect 25-40 samples per day.

“All districts are to ensure that out of total number of samples, 25 per cent are of those younger than 18 years of age, another 50 per cent are in the age group of 18-49 years and remaining 25 per cent of those in the age group of 50 years or more,” reads the SOP prescribed by the Delhi’s directorate general of health services. The fresh exercise is being undertaken for a comprehensive assessment of the Covid-19 situation in Delhi, but due to Id holiday not many samples could be collected on Saturday, officials said.

Hence, it has been decided to extend the survey till August 7, a senior official said on Saturday. Originally, a five-day exercise from August 1-5, it will span all 11 districts of Delhi and cover various demographic segments.

Systematic Random Sampling methodology will be used for collection of samples with mandatory exclusion of individuals or households selected during the last sero survey conducted in June-July, the SOP says.

The survey began with samples collection from various districts, including North Delhi and Northwest Delhi, to start with on Saturday.

Sources said six districts were reportedly covered on Sunday.