Sero-survey begins in 75 dists of UP
62K samples to be collected and tested to understand development of anti-bodies among the populace
LUCKNOW: Sero-survey began in 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh on Friday to collect about 62,000 samples from people and test them in the lab.
“We will collect about 62,000 samples for the sero-survey in UP which will be one of the biggest surveys. The collection of samples will be completed by June 11,” said Amit Mohan Prasad, additional chief secretary, medical & health, in a press conference. In Lucknow, about 500 samples were collected from 22 different localities.
Sampling was done in different caregories, including those who had tested positive in the first wave and those who tested positive in the second wave. Samples from slums will also be collected. Sero-survey is done to understand development of antibodies among the population.
In Lucknow, samples were collected from Chandernagar in Alambagh, Bijli Pasi Ka Qila, Vidyawati Ward, Harihar Nagar, Khurramnagar, NK Road and Indira Nagar.
People with symptoms of Covid were also tested for the same with antigen kits.
In rural pockets, samples were taken from Gosainganj and Kakori. The samples will be tested in the microbiology lab at the KGMU. “The results from the sero-survey will help in preparing for the probable third wave and also plan the strategy for vaccination coverage in the state,” said Dr Sandeep kapoor, director, Healthcity hospital.
In September 2020 the state health department had conducted serological survey in 11 districts in the state, including Meerut, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Moradabad, Ghaziabad, Baghpat and Agra.