THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A special team of the ICMR has started studies to learn about community transmission in Kerala. Samples of 1200 random persons in Palakkad, Thrissur, and Ernakulam will be tested for the coronavirus.

Ten panchayats in each district will be selected and 40 persons from every such panchayat will be tested for antibody presence in their blood. The candidates selected will be asymptomatic for the virus.

The special team will consist of 20 members. Samples will be collected with the assistance of the health department and primary health centers.