Study gives an overview of coronavirus situation by 22 March

A new stage in the coronavirus prevalence study started on 9 March. The study led by the University of Tartu gives an overview of the prevalence of coronavirus and its antibodies in the adult population. 

More than a month has passed since the last stage of the study was conducted in January. Over this period, the Omicron strain of the coronavirus has spread massively, and the number of patients needing hospitalisation has increased. Meanwhile also the national testing strategy was changed and thus, according to the leader of the study, Professor of Family Medicine of the University of Tartu Ruth Kalda, there is no clear picture currently of the prevalence of the infection. “The new stage of the study enables us to give an objective assessment of the actual prevalence of the infection. Although vaccination numbers have been low over the last month, the massive spread of the virus has definitely had an effect on the prevalence of antibodies. This background knowledge is useful for managing the virus situation in future,” Kalda explained 

Participation in the study 

Until 21 March, about 2,500 random-sampled adults are invited to participate in the survey. The research company Kantar Emor carries out phone interviews with participants. After the interview, participants get a web link for registration to testing or a call from the Medicum and Synlab call centre to make an appointment for testing at a suitable testing site. 

At the testing site, a nasopharyngeal sample is taken, and a venous blood sample to determine the level of antiviral antibodies. The procedure takes about 10 minutes. Disabled or elderly people and other people with impaired mobility can ask the team to test them at home. 

The participants are informed of the test results within three days. The results are entered in the patient portal. Persons who receive a positive test result will be contacted by the study team during two to four weeks to monitor the progress of the disease. 

The study is carried out by a broad-based research group of the University of Tartu in cooperation with Synlab Eesti, Medicum and Kantar Emor. For more information about the detection of Covid-19 antibodies, see the coronavirus testing website. For more information about the coronavirus prevalence study, see the University of Tartu website.