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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), is currently continuing with the implementation of Wave 1 of the National COVID-19 Antibody Survey (NCAS).  This survey is fully supported by the Department of Health.

Fieldwork around the country, which is being conducted by Epicentre, is continuing following the end of year holidays. The participation of South Africans in this survey is crucial to being able to understand and generate a national estimate of what proportion of South Africans may have been infected with the SARS-CoV-2  (or COVID-19) virus, 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.  South Africans are therefore requested to participate in this study.

There have been some misperceptions and false information about this survey.  One of these is that this is an attempt to vaccinate respondents, and cause harm to them.

The research team wishes to unequivocally state that this survey is only aimed at understanding the extent of COVID-19 infections in South Africa.  There is no attempt to vaccinate respondents.   Participation in the survey is also  entirely voluntary after information about the survey is presented to those who are eligible to participate.

Most importantly, a vaccine against COVID-19  is not yet available in South Africa.  When supplies of the vaccine arrive in the country, it will be rolled out according to the national vaccination strategy which will be managed by the national and provincial health departments.  Supplies will also be controlled and safeguarded in line with pre-determined protocols.

The research team for NCAS survey is currently working closely with stakeholders in the various provinces to ensure that the correct information is shared in communities.  The team also reiterates that the interviews and blood sample collection is being administered under COVID-19 safety protocols. The processes are  safe and in no way present any danger to participants.

The HSRC-led research consortium reiterates that the participation of South Africans is crucial to the success of the survey and accuracy of the results which will be used to assist the government in  any further planning and refinement of the national response to the COVID-19 epidemic in the country.

Research Methodology

·         19000 interviews with people over 12 years of age in each of the nine (9) provinces

·         Trained field teams will visit selected households and conduct interviews aimed at assessing the history of infection, exposure to contacts, co-morbidities, and practices such as hand washing and social distancing.  The interviews will not be longer than 20 minutes.

·         A qualified nurse (phlebotomist) will request a small blood sample from each respondent that will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies.  

·         10% of the participants who live in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Pretoria will be asked to provide an additional blood sample to be tested to ascertain how the body responds to the COVID-19 virus.

·         The results will be linked to the information provided in the questionnaires to understand how COVID-19 is spread in communities.

The blood samples and data from the questionnaires will subsequently be analysed following which the results will be publicly released to the nation.

Issued by The Human Sciences Research Council