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Merge 104.8 | 13 July 2020
The national serological survey to assess the spread of COVID-19 in Oman and the extent of immunity among the population began yesterday [Sunday, July 12], and its findings over the next ten weeks will be crucial in helping authorities decide on the re-opening of mosques, schools, and other activities in the Sultanate.
Speaking in an interview with Oman TV, Dr. Saif Al Abri, Director-General of Disease Surveillance and Control at the Ministry of Health (MoH), said that the data collected from the survey will also be beneficial in decision-making that affects targeted age groups such as children and the elderly.
As per Dr. Al Abri, over the next ten weeks, 20,000 people across the country will have blood samples collected in four phases, with samples from 5,000 participants from all governorates collected over a five- to seven-day period with 400 samples collected from each governorate.
“The results of the project will help us a lot in planning the strategic recovery plan for the Sultanate and, also, it will help us in deciding about what type of preventive measures are to be lifted — for example, whether it’s in the health sector, whether it’s in aviation, or whether it’s in education etc,” Dr. Al Abri stated to Oman TV.
He also highlighted that the survey data will help health authorities in Oman determine a forward plan in case of the advent of a future vaccine, aiding them in identifying target groups for vaccination — especially among vulnerable populations — and the quantities of vaccine needed.
Survey participants will be contacted directly by the MoH, from a random selection of people based on population data from the National Centre for Statistics and Information, along with data from the Tarassud Plus application.
Members of the public taking part in the survey will have samples of their blood collected to screen for COVID-19 antibodies, and will be given a questionnaire to assess their symptoms.
(Also read: COVID-19: Oman’s public sector to reduce staff present in office to 30%.)
