National COVID-19 Antibody Survey (NCAS) not a covert vaccination attempt says Limpopo Department of Health
28 January 2021
The Limpopo Provincial Health Department and the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), together with research partners, Epicentre, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), and the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), have noted some erroneous news reports and public sentiments about the COVID-19 Antibody Survey that is currently underway in various provinces, particularly Limpopo.
The Provincial Health Department and the Human Sciences Research Council reiterates that this is a national survey previously announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande.
This survey aims to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 antibodies in a representative sample of people living in South African. This will tell the research team if more people had been infected with COVID-19 than previously reported, including those who may have been infected without knowing either due to being asymptomatic, having mild symptoms, or not being able to access testing facilities.
In this regard, the Limpopo Provincial Health Department, the HSRC and research partners unequivocally reiterate that: