The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in its second sero-surveillance study, is set to also cover children aged 10 and above. The agency’s first sero-surveillance study, which looks for people with Covid-19 antibodies in their blood, had focused only on adults (those above 18).

Scientists said the second study, to be conducted across the same 71 districts of the country as the first, aims to test a different population group. The sample size of 26,400 individuals will also remain the same.

“The repeat survey will essentially cover the same districts. But this time, it will also cover children who are 10 and above. We are also surveying members of the same family. These are the new factors in the second survey,” said ICMR scientist Dr Rajni Kant, head of the department for research management, policy planning and communication.

He said the survey, which has commenced in most of the districts, should be finished by the first of week of next month. The analysis of the results will take until the end of next month to be completed.