Conduct targeted Covid-19 testing at large gatherings: Centre

The Centre has requested states to conduct saturation testing to detect the coronavirus illness (Covid-19) in locations the place persons are more likely to collect in giant numbers, comparable to workplaces, non secular locations and markets, amongst others, a senior Union well being ministry official conversant in the event stated on Monday.

Saturation testing, the place everyone seems to be examined for Covid-19, will increase random testing to manage the unfold of the viral an infection. The advisory just isn’t necessary and states will determine the place to test, who to test, the frequency of testing, and how one can fund testing, the official stated.

“It is an advisory for states from our experts as one of the measures to cut the disease transmission cycle. Once the places are identified, everyone there should be tested for the disease. After completing testing, those who have tested negative for the virus should be followed up for a period of at least five to 10 days as that is the incubation period seen so far. Confirmatory tests should be done on those people who show symptoms,” stated the well being ministry official.

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The checks may be repeated periodically relying on the requirement and positivity fee.

“Many a time, it is seen that people at workplaces either bring the infection from within the community or take the disease back to the community where they live; and it can be a cause of a super-spreader event where a large number of people run the risk of getting infected. This way, infection can be detected early and close contacts traced on time to control the spread,” Dr VK Paul, member (well being), Niti Aayog, stated on the scope of focused testing, throughout a Covid-19 briefing final week.

Though specialists say that it might be superb to cowl as many locations as doable, resulting from logistical issues, precedence may be given to high-risk areas.

“Since the virus does not discriminate, saturation testing should be as widespread as possible. But the ultimate call will be on states on whether to test across the board or in areas from where clustering is reported or in high-risk areas, and look for requisite criteria for selection of target groups or areas for testing. The role of the Centre is to advise on what best can be done to control the situation,” stated Dr SK Singh, director, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).

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For mass testing, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the physique that has been spearheading Covid-19 testing initiative within the nation, recommends speedy antigen checks (RAT).

“At places where large scale testing is required with quick results, RAT is recommended. However, there are certain conditions that need to be met like getting a confirmatory test done though RT-PCR in cases of symptomatic RAT negatives, etc,” stated an ICMR official.