COVID-19 sample collection in Hyderabad stopped for two days at special camps owing to backlog

HYDERABAD: In an abrupt turn of events, GHMC officials on Thursday were informed to turn away patients from sample collection centres and inform them to come two days later as the collection of swabs was temporarily stopped.

This spread panic across the centres as several sick and ailing reached there only to be told to return.

The development without any prior notice came as a shocker as coronavirus cases in GHMC limits are skyrocketing.

Director of Public Health issued a statement that the tests were stopped only because of the high number of samples- 8253, which were accumulated.

Since a sample gives the most accurate results if stored in good condition only up to 48 hours, the testing was halted to clear off the backlog, said an official release.

However, Express has learnt from reliable sources that the centres were shut down after 10 days of testing because, during the conduction of these tests, at least six medical staff from the centres have turned positive for coronavirus.

These staffers were from Sarojini Devi hospital camp, Dabeerpura UPHC, etc.

“There was a high rush in all centres were more than the kits available, people came in. Owing to this sanitation facility was insufficient and the staff itself got the virus,” said an official on condition of anonymity.

This matter is of grave concern because several people who came here to be tested may also have been infected from the testing site.

Among those positive are a doctor from Sarojini Devi hospital, one nurse, one technician, and two public health officers. Along with them, some of their family members have also tested positive.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Health assured that all patients requiring critical medical help will be tested on priority and there is no need to worry. The tests will be restarted after two days on completion of testing pending samples and sanitization of the collection centers.