Updated: May 30, 2021 02:06 IST Does the knowledge of the extent of exposure to COVID-19 help to plan for the next wave? Why is the ICMR unlikely to launch a fourth study any time soon? Share Article AAA Does the knowledge of the extent of exposure to COVID-19 help to plan for the next wave? Why is the ICMR unlikely to launch a fourth study any time soon? The story so far: Since the pandemic began in 2020, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted three countrywide serosurveys to measure the spread of infection due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The third one (from December 17-January 8) showed that 21.5% of the population had been exposed to the virus. Up to May 23, India has been able to fully vaccinate only 3% of the population and only 10.9% had received one dose. There are indications that the ICMR is unlikely to immediately undertake a fourth national serology survey to estimate the extent of exposure to the coronavirus since January this year.