Do away with RT-PCR test for inter-state travel for healthy individuals to reduce load on labs: ICMR

The want for RT-PCR test in healthy individuals endeavor inter-state home travel could also be utterly eliminated to reduce the load on laboratories, really helpful an ICMR advisory for COVID-19 testing in the course of the second wave of the pandemic.

The advisory acknowledged that RT-PCR test should not be repeated in any particular person who has examined constructive as soon as both by RAT or RT-PCR and that testing is just not required for COVID-19 recovered individuals on the time of hospital discharge in accordance with the discharge coverage of the Ministry of Health.

The advisory was issued in view of laboratories dealing with challenges to meet the anticipated testing goal due to extraordinary case load and workers getting contaminated with COVID-19.

  
The apex well being analysis physique additionally really helpful upscaling testing utilizing RATs and acknowledged that RAT could also be allowed in any respect obtainable authorities and personal healthcare amenities and establishing devoted RAT cubicles in cities, cities and villages to provide testing to folks.
 
“The RT-PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RAT or RT-PCR. The need for RT-PCR test in healthy individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to reduce the load on laboratories,” the advisory really helpful.

Non-essential travel and interstate travel of symptomatic individuals (COVID-19 or flu-like signs) needs to be primarily averted to reduce the danger of an infection and that each one asymptomatic individuals endeavor important travel should observe COVID acceptable behaviour, it acknowledged.

An unprecedented upsurge of COVID-19 circumstances and deaths is at present being witnessed throughout India.

The general nationwide test positivity fee is above 20 per cent, the ICMR mentioned.

Testing-tracking-tracing, isolation and home-based therapy of constructive sufferers is the important thing measure to curb transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19.
 
As of in the present day, India has a complete of two,506 molecular testing laboratories, together with RT-PCR, TrueNat, CBNAAT and different platforms.
The complete each day nationwide testing capability is shut to 15 lakh assessments contemplating a three-shift operationalization of the present laboratory community.
 
“At present, the laboratories are facing challenges to meet the expected testing target due to extraordinary caseload and staff getting infected with COVID-19. In view of this situation, it is imperative to optimize the RT-PCR testing and simultaneously increase the access and availability of testing to all citizens of the country,” the apex well being analysis physique mentioned.

Further the ICMR mentioned speedy antigen assessments (RATs) had been really helpful in India for COVID-19 testing in June 2020. However, the usage of these assessments is at present restricted to containment zones and healthcare settings.
 
RAT has a brief turnaround time of 15-Half-hour and thus presents an enormous benefit of fast detection of circumstances and the chance to isolate and deal with them early for curbing transmission.

So far, the ICMR has accredited 36 RATs of which 10 are on GeM portal. To meet the overwhelming testing demand, it will likely be prudent to upscale testing utilizing RATs, the advisory mentioned.

Listing the measures to ramp up testing by RAT, the advisory acknowledged, testing cubicles could also be arrange at a number of places, together with healthcare amenities, RWAs, workplaces, faculties, faculties, neighborhood facilities and different obtainable vacant areas.

These cubicles needs to be operational on a 24X7 foundation to enhance entry and availability of testing.
 
Drive-through RAT testing amenities could also be created at handy places as recognized by native administration and stringent measures should be instituted to keep away from overcrowding at RAT testing amenities, the ICMR acknowledged.

The ICMR additionally suggested all states to guarantee full utilization of the obtainable RT-PCR testing capability, each in private and non-private laboratories, and added that symptomatic individuals recognized constructive by RAT shouldn’t be re-tested and suggested to undergo home-based care as per ICMR tips.

Symptomatic individuals recognized destructive by RAT needs to be linked with RT-PCR test facility and within the meantime be urged to observe dwelling isolation and therapy.
 
During the present upsurge of COVID-19 circumstances, any particular person presenting with fever with/with out cough, headache, sore throat, breathlessness, physique ache, current lack of style or scent, fatigue and diarrhea needs to be thought-about as suspect case of COVID-19 except confirmed in any other case by affirmation of one other etiology, the advisory mentioned.
 
The vaccination standing of all individuals examined for COVID-19 should be entered into the Sample Referral Form (SRF) within the RT-PCR app, each for individuals examined by RT-PCR and RAT. This info is of crucial significance, the advisory mentioned.

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