The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has decided to start the fourth round of a national-level sero survey to assess the intensity of the spread of COVID-19 in India, center informed.
NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul at a press conference, said the Covid situation in the country appears to be stabilising with decline in daily and active cases and the positivity rate coming down to almost 5 per cent.
“The ICMR will begin work for the next sero survey this month which will help assess the intensity of spread of COVID-19. But if we want to protect our geographies, we cannot depend on one national sero survey alone and will have to encourage states/UTs to do sero surveys at their levels also†Paul said.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the sero survey will be held across 70 districts in 21 states and will include children aged 6 years and above.
The official noted that there has been 70 per cent decrease in active cases, by more than 26.2 lakh, since the peak was reported on May 10.
The Centre underlined that breaking the chain of transmission ensures lesser strain on the health infrastructure and better quality of care. Government Medical College and Hospital Nagpur will be among the centres where the study will be conducted to determine the effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 infection
