Covid hospitals in Bengal to conduct rapid antigen tests on all patients in SARI wards

The West Bengal authorities has directed Covid hospitals within the state to conduct Rapid Antigen Tests on all sufferers who present up with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI).

This would assist in the early detection of Covid-19 positive circumstances and begin the therapy, which in flip would assist to deliver down the dying charge additional, officers mentioned.

“Rapid Antigen Testing to be arranged at SARI wards so that Covid positive patients can be identified immediately and treated for Covid-19 without delay,” mentioned an order issued by the Bengal authorities to all Covid hospitals on Monday.

The state authorities in a door-to-door survey has recognized round 8,700 SARI circumstances and round 4.5 lakh circumstances of Influenza-like Illness.

In mid-June there have been 4,337 circumstances of SARI and 1.9 lakh circumstances of Influenza-like Illness.

SARI includes the historical past of a fever greater than 38 levels Celsius (100.Four F) and cough for over 10 days. Severe types of SARI – together with extreme pneumonia, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), sepsis and septic shock – can result in dying in Covid-19 sufferers.

Even although the Mamata Banerjee administration has been capable of deliver down the dying charge from greater than 13% in May which was the very best amongst all states, to round 1.9% on September 28, it’s nonetheless greater than the nationwide common.

At current India’s case fatality charge or dying charge is round 1.5%. The Centre is working in direction of bringing the nationwide dying charge right down to 1% or beneath.

“In a meeting held in August, the state government was advised by the Centre to ensure that at least in 80% of the fresh Covid-19 cases and all close contacts need to be traced and tested within three days,” mentioned a well being division official.

Just a few states, together with West Bengal, had been additionally requested by the Centre to conduct at the very least 140 exams per million per day in all districts whereas focusing on a positivity charge of lower than 5%. At current Bengal has a positivity charge of seven.9%. West Bengal has up to now reported 2,50,580 Covid-19 circumstances and 4,837 deaths.