ICMR issues advisory for COVID home testing using Rapid Antigen tests

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday launched an advisory for COVID-19 home testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT). According to the medical physique, home testing by RAT ought to be carried out solely in symptomatic people and instant contacts of laboratory confirmed constructive circumstances. The ICMR has authorised CoviSelf (PathoCatch) COVID-19 OTC Antigen LF system for use at home. It is developed by Pune-based Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd. 

ICMR ADVISORY

• Home testing by RAT is suggested solely in symptomatic people and instant contacts of laboratory confirmed constructive circumstances. 
• Indiscriminate testing isn’t suggested. 
• Home testing ought to be carried out as per the process described by the producer within the person handbook. 
• The home testing cellular app is out there in Google play retailer and Apple retailer and should be downloaded by all customers. 
• The cellular app is a complete information of the testing process and can present a constructive or destructive check consequence to the affected person. 
• All customers are suggested to click on an image of the check strip after finishing the check process with the identical cell phone which has been used for downloading the cellular app and person registration. 
• Data within the app of your cell phone will probably be centrally captured in a safe server which is linked with the ICMR COVID-19 testing portal, the place all knowledge will probably be finally saved. 
• Patient confidentiality will probably be totally maintained. 
• All people who check postive could also be thought of as true positives and no repeat testing is required. 
• All check constructive people are suggested to comply with home isolation and care as per the ICMR and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare protocol. 
• All symptomatic people who check destructive by RAT ought to get themselves instantly examined by RTPCR. This is particularly necessary because the RATs are more likely to miss few constructive circumstances presenting a low viral load. 
• All RAT destructive symptomatic people could also be handled as suspect COVID-19 circumstances and are suggested to comply with ICMR/MOHFW home isolation protocol whereas awaiting the RTPCR check consequence. 
• All outcomes could also be interpreted as per the protocol laid down by the producer within the usermanual.
• Manufacturer’s directions should be strictly adopted for disposal of the check package, swab and different supplies. 

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