Challenge

During the early pandemic, Canada didn’t have enough data about COVID-19 incidence rates and prevalence of antibodies within its population. Angus Reid recruited 10,000 Canadians within two weeks who were willing to take an at-home blood sample.

Solution

Angus Reid designed a stratified national sampling frame: a survey, processes to facilitate blood collection, reference materials, access to landing pages, and one-to-one direct contact (upon request).

Result

Angus Reid recruited 10,000 members within two weeks, and response rates topped 50%. Blood sample participation averaged 71%, and samples arrived at St. Michael’s Hospital within three weeks of recruitment.

The first phase of the study discovered that about 2% of the samples were positive for COVID-19 antibodies.