Selected for testing: ISMA Government Relations Coordinator Rhonda Bennett was among the first 10,000 randomly selected Hoosiers to be tested in the state’s COVID-19 antibody study. Her mobile testing site was near 86th Street and Michigan Road in Indianapolis; she tested negative for both the novel coronavirus and antibodies.

The Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) has started testing the first of 20,000 randomly selected Hoosiers for the SARS-CoV-2 viral infection and antibodies. The goal of the scientific study, conducted with the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health at IUPUI, is to measure the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state.

The scientifically valid, random-sample testing of Hoosiers started April 25 and will be conducted in four phases during the next year. Select members of the public are being asked to participate by invitation only to ensure that the sampling is representative of Indiana’s population demographics.

“Data is key in guiding our response in the fight against COVID-19, and our partnership with Fairbanks School of Public Health researchers will provide high-quality information to help shape our decision making,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said in a news release. 

The first round of testing began with a pool of 5,000 Hoosiers randomly selected from across Indiana’s 10 emergency preparedness districts. The study includes administering nasopharyngeal swabs and blood draws. Nasopharyngeal swabs will be tested for COVID-19 within 72 to 96 hours, while the blood samples will be tested later for antibodies to determine whether an individual has had COVID-19 in the past. 

IU Health and Eli Lilly and Co. are processing nasal samples and reporting back to ISDH. Additional testing will take place this year in late May and October and in April 2021.

State Health Commissioner Kris Box, MD, FACOG, said the study is key to understanding the impact of the virus among Hoosiers.

“Having the ability to not only test for the presence of this virus, but also to learn more about people who have been exposed in the past and might have antibodies that indicate past infection, will help us fine-tune our work to keep Hoosiers safe from this pandemic,” Dr. Box said. ”We are grateful that this partnership will help make that happen.”

Support for the testing operation is being provided by the Indiana National Guard, Indiana Department of Transportation, state Emergency Medical Services personnel and other state and private partners.