Mumbai sero survey: BMC explores tie-up with private labs to increase sample size

The private laboratories may be given the task of testing each blood sample they collect from Covid-19 patients and the cost will be borne by BMC.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) authorities are exploring the possibility of a tie-up with private laboratories to collect blood samples from a large section of Mumbaikars to ascertain how many of them have recovered from coronavirus disease (Covid-19), but are still unaware about it. The exercise will help the civic officials to figure out how many Mumbaikars have developed antibodies.

The BMC has a tie-up with 15 private laboratories in Mumbai to conduct Covid-19 tests, using both real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and rapid antigen detection (RAD) methodology. (Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

The private laboratories may be given the task of testing each blood sample they collect from Covid-19 patients and the cost will be borne by BMC.

However, private laboratories will conduct the antibody test after they obtain permission from Covid-19 patients.

The BMC officials said the proposal has been sent to Maharashtra government for its approval.

Daksha Shah, deputy executive officer, public health department, BMC, said, “The tie- up between the civic body and private laboratories for collection of blood samples to ascertain antibodies is at a proposal stage. We have sent our proposal to the state government.”

The BMC has a tie-up with 15 private laboratories in Mumbai to conduct Covid-19 tests, using both real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and rapid antigen detection (RAD) methodology.

Besides, In a bid to ascertain antibodies level, the BMC has conducted the first phase of sero-surveillance survey, where 6,900 people were tested.

The survey results showed that 57% of slum-dwellers developed antibodies, while the corresponding figure in non-slum areas was 16%.

A second round of the survey is in progress for which around 6,300 samples are being collected.

Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of Maharashtra’s Covid-19 task force, said, “Sero-surveillance survey of antibodies test will help in understanding exposure of virus among a large population. We can also identify potential plasma donors. Private laboratories are conducting these tests over a month, and the figures available for reference to understand the situation.”

A sero-surveillance survey that collects blood samples helps identify individuals, who were afflicted with Covid-19 but have since recovered from their viral infection. The survey gives a sense about the spread of the contagion and the measures that can be taken to prevent the viral outbreak.

Of the 8,376 samples collected across Mumbai by a private laboratory between July 3 and August 7, the results showed that 2,420, or 28.89%, were detected with Covid-19 antibodies.

A high ratio of the antibodies was developed among the residents from Govandi (57%), Dharavi (54%), Worli (42%), Chembur Extension (48%) and Mazagaon (40%), which had emerged as Mumbai’s Covid-19 hotspots.

The prevalence of Covid-19 antibodies was relatively lower in certain areas in suburbs and south Mumbai, varying between 20% and 40%.