BMC May Partner With Private Labs for Serosurvey of Mumbai Residents

As per a new report, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is currently exploring the possibility of linking up with private laboratories to conduct antibody tests. These tests are conducted as part of the civic body’s sero-surveillance program that will ascertain the percentage of the population that were previously infected with the virus.

BMC’s serosurvey in Mumbai recently revealed that a large portion of the population (57%) residing in slums had developed antibodies, while those among non-slum regions were found to have only 16% of COVID-19 fighting antibodies.

Also Read - BMC Starts Second Phase Of Sero-Survey In Mumbai

Under this proposal, approved private laboratories will collect the samples from the citizens and test them at their centres. 

The cost of this process will be borne by the BMC, it is said. Private laboratories will only conduct the tests as long as they get the necessary permissions from the citizens. For now, the BMC has said that the proposal is currently being sent to the State Government for approval.

“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,” Dr Shashank Joshi said. Joshi is a member of the state’s COVID-19 task force.

The BMC has already concluded the first phase of its serological survey, while the second phase went underway around two weeks ago. Authorities have maintained that conducting a survey each month will help them understand the spread of the virus better.

Data put out by the civic body revealed that regions like Govandi and Dharavi had the highest COVID-19 fighting antibodies among the population at 57% and 42% respectively. Residents of regions like Chembur Extension and Mazgaon also had relatively higher coronavirus fighting antibodies.