New Delhi: In what can be termed as a turnaround, the Indian Council of Medical Research is in a new guideline issued on Tuesday is talking about reducing RT-PCR tests to reduce the load on labs. It may be noted that the centre was stressing on the states and Union territories to ramp up RT-PCR tests not so long ago.
As per the new guideline, any individual with fever, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, body ache, the recent loss of taste or smell, fatigue, diarrhea should be considered as a suspect case of Covid-19 unless proven otherwise by confirmation of another etiology, the new guideline.
With a sudden surge in the number of RT-PCR tests and many staff testing positive and thus being relieved from duties, the laboratories are overburdened.
It is taking over 72 hours to process one RT-PCR test now.At a national level, India can test close to 15 lakh tests in its 2,506 molecular testing laboratories, including RT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT and other platforms.
ICMR has recommended no RT-PCR tests if
An individual has tested positive by rapid antigen test.
An individual has tested positive once by RT-PCR test.
One has completed 10 days home isolation period with no fever for the last three days.
At the time of hospital discharge.
A healthy individual is undertaking interstate domestic travel. While this is a requirement imposed by states, ICMR said this can completely be removed to reduce the load on laboratories.
Given this situation, the ICMR is recommending bringing back the focus on Rapid Antigen Testing for mass detection. RAT may be allowed at all available government and private healthcare facilities, in cities, towns, villages, at offices, schools, colleges, community centres and other vacant spaces. Drive through RAT facilities may also be created, the ICMR said.
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