ICMR to start national serosurvey in June: VK Paul

ANI
11 Jun 2021, 20:48 GMT+10

New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): Member Health NITI Aayog Dr VK Paul on Friday announced that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will start work on the next nation-wide Covid-19 serosurvey and urged states to roll out their own sero surveillances to asses the spread of the pandemic.

Sero survey is used to determine the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies in the community.

"Preparation for national serosurvey done. ICMR will begin work for the next serosurvey this month. But if we want to protect our geographies we won't have to depend on national serosurvey alone, we'll have to encourage states for serosurveys too," said Dr VK Paul, who also head the country's national Covid task force.

This will be the fourth serosurvey conducted by the ICMR in the country and would begin in 70 districts across the country and will also include children aged six years and above.

In a serosurvey, blood samples are tested for the presence of IgG (Immunoglobulin G) antibodies that determine a past infection due to the coronavirus.

Paul noted that decisions regarding serosurveys must be taken close to the hotspots and points of infection - at district and state levels, for which such surveys need to be held.

The NITI Aayog Member Health also emphasised that there is a need to create a narrative or a buzz in the country about vaccinating against Covid-19. "Vaccines are available and that we need to utilize all doses at Vaccination centers; there should not be wastage of doses. We need to fight Vaccine hesitancy." (ANI)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to India Gazette.

More Information

null in null

Business

Section

AI saves $500 million for Microsoft as layoffs reshape strategy

REDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...

FTC’s rule to ease subscription cancellations struck down by court

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...

Musk’s X loses CEO Linda Yaccarino amid AI backlash, ad woes

BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...

Ex-UK PM Sunak takes advisory role at Goldman Sachs

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...

Gold ETF inflows hit 5-year high as tariffs drive safe-haven bets

LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...

PwC: Copper shortages may disrupt 32 percent of chip output by 2035

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...

Delhi

Section