Fairbanks launches round 2 of COVID testing research

INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) — The second phase of a scientific study to measure the prevalence of COVID-19 in Indiana gets underway Wednesday with the next wave of testing.

The project is a collaborative effort between the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI and the Indiana State Department of Health.

During the first round, 4,600 Hoosiers were tested for viral infections and antibodies to the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

Results of the first phase were announced May 13 and they showed a general population prevalence of about 2.8 percent of the state’s population.

Phase 2 study participants were selected randomly and received a text message, phone call and postcard notifying them of their selection and encouraging them to schedule testing at one of the drive-thru sites in Indiana. (see below)

Testing takes place June 3 through 7 at 16 locations around the state.

Researchers are not looking for volunteers as the test subjects are selected randomly through state databases.