Covid tests up by 61% in Chandigarh, experts say go slow

CHANDIGARH: The city has increased Covid-19 tests by 61% from May, according to the authorities.
Highest testing was done on May 23, with 218 samples in a day. However, experts said it's time to conduct tests judiciously as more cases are expected and there could be a shortage of reagents by then.
"Testing is essential for confirming cases. However, unnecessary tests are happening for health care workers and these must be avoided. As mandated by the government, all health workers need to be tested after a week," said an epidemiologist in PGI. He said, "But these are for those posted in Covid areas or other sensitive zones. There are times when those in the non-Covid areas are also being tested." Moreover, it was asked by the adjoining states to certify patients who are referred as non Covid prior to sending. "Even after this certification, patients are sampled in the institute. This is so inconvenient for patients," said an official in PGI.
According to data available, for 19 days in the month of May, more than 100 tests were sampled in a day. However, in April, there were three days only when the tests exceeded 100 samples. In April, 1,415 tests were conducted and after a month, 3629 tests were conducted in May only.
As many as 5,312 tests have been conducted. In fact, the first case of Bapu Dham was reported on March 24 after which over 200 patients were confirmed positive. However, the testing was not enhanced until April-end. There are three institutes in the city where the RT PCR testing is done. These include PGI, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32 and Imtech. PGI has capacity of around 450-500, GMCH has 150 and Imtech has around 500 testing capacity.