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Merge 104.8 | 16 August 2020
Phase Two of the Sultanate’s national serological survey to track and assess patterns of COVID-19 community transmission is set to begin today [Sunday, August 16].
In a statement issued online, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said that, in the first phase: “The challenges faced by teams at the field level were overcome, and effective solutions were found to ensure that the survey process continues smoothly in the way it was planned.
The collection of samples has been completed as per the numbers required in the first cycle, and the necessary diagnostic tests are carried out and work is underway to finalize the analysis of the results.”
As per the MoH, a detailed report on the results from the first phase of the survey will be released by the Directorate General of Disease Surveillance and Control in the coming weeks.
The statement also outlined that the first phase helped clarify the survey mechanism, and offered insights into the selection process for participants, which includes both citizens and residents of Oman from all governorates.
According to the MoH, participants’ selection will be “randomly-based”, and those selected will receive a text message and follow-up call from the Ministry confirming their participation, after which they’ll be “directed to the nearest health institution where written approval will be taken with the compilation of the participant’s demographic data that will be collected through the Tarassud+ application.”
The MoH further clarified that participants will be subject to a blood test and not a nasal swab, and that they will not be subject to isolation or having to wear a Ministry-issued tracking bracelet.
Finally, the MoH reminded citizens and residents that the nationwide serological survey — which began on July 12 — is voluntary and that “there are no legal consequences for not participating in the survey […] but that public awareness should be raised on the importance of this survey in assessing the prevalence of COVID-19 infection.
