State government’s decision to conduct an extensive sero survey in the Capital Region is a timely addition to the ongoing efforts to contain Covid-19 pandemic. The survey is necessary for having an accurate reflection of the on-ground situation in the area which has a comparatively higher population density vis-à-vis the state and in a short time has emerged as a highly vulnerable Covid zone. More and more states, particularly those severely affected have resorted to sero surveys during last few months which has given them valuable insights of the actualities, that in turn has helped in altering the Covid response pattern according to needs. The state administration must try to keep the technicalities of the survey perfect as it will be having a direct bearing on the future plan of actions in fighting out the pandemic and bring out the results within a reasonably feasible time frame. The overarching relevance of sero survey can be gauged from the fact that the ICMR is planning for its second edition on a pan-India basis, probably from July end or early August and this time with a sample size double that of the earlier one.

 Sero survey can be broadly understood as random collection of blood samples from individuals in a given area followed by testing to make sure that antibodies or antigens against the SARS CoV 2 are present. Besides providing an accurate confirmation that the said sample population has been infected in the recent past, it also throws light whether the stage of auto-immunity to certain diseases has been reached, in the current case which is Covid-19. Also, in Covid context, it is the opinion of various virologists that without proper sero survey(s) on a periodic basis, ascertaining the correct levels of sero-prevalence of the infection will be impossible, which will thereby result in either inappropriate or delayed time-population-specific public health interventions. It can be recalled that the last ICMR survey was conducted in May which had two parts involving 65 districts including 10 hotspot ones with high, medium, low and zero Covid-19 caseloads spread over 21 states. Even though the full report of the first survey is yet to be announced, the rationale of the second survey can be realised from the current situation itself when single-day additions are surpassing the figure of the preceding day.

Arunachal must weigh all available options in containing the pandemic and must be ready to put them in use wherever needed and within the least-possible time. The proposed sero survey, as an important input to the overall efforts is expected to clear much of the haze that has surrounded the unprecedented rise of Covid cases in the Capital Region.

It must be seriously executed with stress on technical accuracy.