The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all geared up to start the second phase of SERO survey in Matunga, Chembur and Dahisar.

The civic body is to conduct the survey as per the instructions of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The survey will be conducted to understand the severity of the infection. A serological survey involves testing of blood serum of individuals to check for the prevalence of antibodies against the coronavirus.

According to the ICMR, a serological survey will be conducted in the slums and settlements in Matunga (F-North), Chembur (M-West) and Dahisar (R-North) from August 13 to 28.

The survey will be conducted from August 13 to 20, and in the colonies from August 17 to 28. The report of the second phase of the survey is touted to be made available immediately.

The civic body has already taken blood samples of 500 people for the serological survey. This survey will help to understand the geographical spread of the transition in the population in general. 10,000 blood samples will be collected in this survey. The survey will be conducted in collaboration with the NITI Aayog, the BMC and the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).

The serological survey conducted in the first half of July had earlier revealed that 57 per cent of the slum population and 16 per cent of non-slum residents in three civic wards had developed antibodies. It showed a high proportion of asymptomatic infection of the coronavirus in the city.

A team of medical officers (health) and non-governmental organizations will conduct the survey. The team will visit the citizen's homes and collect information and blood samples. The samples will be then sent to Kasturba Microbiology Medical Laboratory, as well as to the Institute of Translational Health Science and Technology, Faridabad. The antibodies in the sample will then be diagnosed there.