Government to enhance swab testing capacity

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday said that the swab testing capacity for COVID-19 would be enhanced to deal with the increasing demand for the tests in the state.

Speaking to the media after a meeting on COVID-19 management, the Chief Minister said a discussion on various aspects pertaining to COVID-19 management was held at the meeting.

He said the backlog of pending reports has reduced in the last few days from over 6,000 to 1,500-1,600. “We will be able to clear this pendency of the reports by Tuesday,” he said.

Sawant also commended the public health department and a medical team for successfully conducting plasma therapy on two COVID patients. “They are showing improvement after the plasma therapy,” he added.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, who was also present at the meeting, told media that after discussing various issues related to COVID-19 management, the government has decided to resolve the issues within one week’s time. He said the government would enhance the capacity of testing for COVID-19 by another 1,500 from the existing 2,500 per day.

“As suddenly we could see a spike in positive cases of COVID-19, we need to take more steps. Wherever there are shortfalls, we are trying our best to take it head on and resolve the issues. Criticism is also being taken positively by the government,” Rane said.

The minister said that a new machine for plasma therapy would be commissioned on Tuesday and added that so far 20 persons, who have recovered from the COVID-19 infection have registered themselves for donating plasma.