Mysuru to get first private Covid-19 lab

MYSURU: Mysuru will soon get a private lab, a first in the Old Mysuru region, to test for the novel coronavirus, but people will have to pay to get tested.
Deputy commissioner Abhiram G Sankar disclosed that people are unwilling to get tested at the Covid hospital because they fear getting infected there. Therefore, the district is opening a number of swab collection centres across Mysuru, to encourage the public to voluntarily get tested if they have any influenza-like symptoms or have a travel history.
“People fear to step into government facilities where Covid tests are conducted for free. Measures are being taken to decentralize the examination and testing centres, to test more people,” he said.
“Mysuru’s JSS hospital is ready with a testing facility, to conduct Covid tests, but are awaiting a nod from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). Collecting samples requires skills and trained staff, or else it may lead to an incorrect diagnosis. NABL has to approve private labs but testing in such labs is not free,” the DC said.
Currently Mysuru is testing approximately 500 samples daily, and so far 15,645 samples have been tested in the district. Of them, 151 were found to be infected. With an increase in the number of people coming from other states, there is every chance of a rise in positive cases. More tests need to be carried out on a daily basis, as from Rajasthan alone about 45 came in a group, and have been quarantined.
“Testing is important to keep infection at bay. People must voluntarily maintain social distancing, wear masks and wash their hands frequently,” Abhiram stated.