The Centre recently revised Covid-19 testing rules to help in minimizing, the workload of laboratories and testing centers across India as coronavirus cases spiral out of control, putting a huge strain on the healthcare system.
According to the latest Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advisory, no person should be subjected to an RT-PCR test a second time. This ensures that those who tested positive by RAT or RT-PCR previously should not be tested again.
RT-PCR checks on fully healed Covid-19 patients are also prohibited at the time of discharge from the hospital, according to the advisory.
The country’s overall covid-19 caseload surpassed the 2-million mark, prompting the publication of the new advisory and the country saw a steady increase with 3,57,229 new infections, bringing the total number of Covid-19 cases to 2,02,82,833 in the last two days.
Furthermore, the national Covid death toll increased to 2,22,408 with 3,449 new deaths, while active cases increased to 34,47,133, accounting for 17% of overall infections.
In light of these changes, the Centre has stated that an RT-PCR test is not needed in healthy individuals for inter-state domestic travel.
Due to an unusually high caseload and worker’s infection with Covid-19, the advisory was released in response to laboratories having difficulty meeting their scheduled testing targets.
The apex health study body also suggested that RATs be permitted at all available government and private healthcare facilities, as well as the establishment of dedicated RAT booths in cities, towns, and villages to provide testing to citizens.
“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 recommended.
It specified that non-essential travel and interstate travel for symptomatic individuals (Covid-19 or flu-like symptoms) should be avoided to minimize the risk of infection and that all asymptomatic individuals undertaking essential travel must meet COVID guidelines.
In India, there is currently an alarming increase in Covid-19 cases and deaths. According to the ICMR, the average nationwide test positivity rate is above 20%.
The main measure to stop the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of Covid-19, is testing, monitoring, and tracing isolation, and home-based care of positive patients.
