hamburger icon
A
अ
Read in Hindi
  • Home
  • News
  • Health Ministry, ICMR recommend 'test on-demand' for COVID-19 in new advisory

Health Ministry, ICMR recommend 'test on-demand' for COVID-19 in new advisory

As per the new advisory, the state governments can decide simplified modalities for on-demand testing for all individuals who wish to get themselves tested for COVID-19.

WrittenBy

Written By: Jahnavi Sarma | Updated : September 7, 2020 9:12 AM IST

thehealthsite.com top news

RT-PCR test, which is the current gold standard for COVID-19 testing, takes more than an hour per sample.

The Ministry of Health on Saturday updated its advisory on COVID-19 testing. The new advisory further simplifies the testing process and gives more freedom and flexibility to the State authorities. As per the new advisory, state governments can decide simplified modalities for on-demand testing for all individuals who wish to get themselves tested. The Health Ministry statement read, ''A totally new section has been added in the Advisory on "Testing on Demand" which for all practical purposes does away with prescription by a registered medical practitioner although State governments have the freedom to decide on simplified modalities.'' The Advisory also said that no re-testing is recommended prior to discharge from a COVID-19 facility after clinical recovery, including for transfer from a COVID area/ facility to a non-COVID area/ facility.

Ministry says surge in cases due to widespread testing

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health informed that there has been an unprecedented upsurge in India's daily testing capacities, adding that for two successive days more than 11.70 lakh tests have been conducted per day. The total COVID-19 test count in the country now stands at 4 crore and 77 lakh till date. There are now 1647 testing laboratories operational which cover all States/UTs.

ICMR guidelines for 'test on demand'

Earlier on Friday, The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued an advisory on the strategy for COVID-19 testing in which it too recommended 'testing on demand'. This is also published in the Health Ministry website. According to the advisory, testing on demand should be done for individuals undertaking travel to countries or Indian states mandating a negative COVID-19 test report at the point of entry and those who wish to get themselves tested. ICMR'S advisory, also recommended by the National Task Force on COVID-19, stated that no emergency procedure, including deliveries, should be delayed for lack of test and allowed for testing on demand.

Also Read

  • Pregnant women should not be referred for a lack of testing facility and all arrangements should be made to collect and transfer their samples to the testing facilities.
  • Mothers who test positive for COVID-19 should be advised to wear a mask and undertake frequent handwashing while handling their baby for 14 days.
  • Breastfeeding mothers should be advised on breast cleaning before feeding the neonate. These measures are likely to reduce transmission to their babies.
  • A single RT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT and rapid antigen positive test is to be considered confirmatory without any repeat testing.
  • If symptoms develop following a negative RAT test, a repeat RAT or RT-PCR should be done.
  • 100 per cent people living in containment zones should be tested by rapid antigen tests, particularly in cities where there has been widespread transmission of the infection.
  • No re-testing is recommended prior to discharge from a COVID-19 facility after clinical recovery, including for transfer from a COVID area and facility to a non- COVID area.
  • Home quarantine recommended for 14 days for all individuals before undergoing elective surgery to minimise chances of infection before the procedure.
  • Testing of all asymptomatic high-risk individuals (people above 65 and those with co-morbidities etc.) in containment zones.

(With inputs from IANS)

Add The Health Site as a Preferred Source Add The Health Site as a Preferred Source
Jahnavi Sarma

Jahnavi Sarma

... Read More