Govt issues testing algo, not to test walk-ins, asymptomatic persons

Nagpur: For the first time, the state government has come up with an algorithm for Covid-19 testing for laboratories and testing centres run by government agencies. Walk-ins and asymptomatic traders and travellers will not be eligible for testing which will done just once in other cases. The decision probably means that private laboratories can continue with their services.
The state’s public health department on Friday issued letters to all collectors, municipal corporations and GMCHs for immediate implementation of the algorithm prepared in conformity with ICMR guidelines.
The government agencies are conducting tests through three methods — Real Time (RT) PCR, Rapid Antigen and True Nat. Earlier, government agencies used to follow ICMR guidelines which had no specifications regarding who should be tested through these three methods.
Now, the Rapid Antigen test should be done for those who require immediate treatment. “If the Rapid Antigen test is negative, testing of only symptomatic patients should be done through RT-PCR. Testing of high-risk contacts of positive persons and foreign returnees should be done through RT-PCR,” the government said.
According to the algorithm, “Testing of brought dead, delivery cases and emergency operations should be done through True Nat. Such cases can be tested through Rapid Antigen only if True Nat is not available.”
The government order further states that, “Patients admitted in mental hospitals and prisoners in jails should be first kept in quarantine for one week. Then, they should be tested using Rapid Antigen.”
Regarding the number of tests, the government cleared its stand by stating that “Many districts, a patient is being tested two-three times. This is resulting in extra load on tests and the government’s finances as well. Therefore, no extra testing of patients should be done and ICMR’s protocol is to be complied with. Traders, travellers and those returning to their respective districts from other places should not be tested if they have no symptoms.”
The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), zilla parishad etc used to test high-risk contacts of positive patients with Rapid Antigen. The ZP used to test travellers and people returning from other places. The NMC had started 34 testing centres of which 15 are situated at Urban Primary Health Centres (UPHCs) for testing of symptomatic patients and the remaining for walk-ins and high risk contacts of positive patients.
The NMC had also directed shopkeepers and their staff to get tested to contain the spread. “NMC has been following all the guidelines issued by the government. Therefore, there is not much to change at our testing centres,” said municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.
Two private laboratories based in the city confirmed that they will continue to test walk-ins, asymptomatic and whoever comes as they did not receive any guidelines by the government.
THEN AND NOW
Earlier: No clear guidelines for who should be tested using which method
Now: Clear guidelines for testing with Rapid Antigen, RT-PCR and True Nat
Earlier: RT-PCR as well as Rapid Antigen was used for high-risk contacts of positive patients
Now: Only RT-PCR for them
Earlier: Travellers and traders without symptoms were tested
Now: Allowed only if they have symptoms
Earlier: Inmates of jail and patients of mental hospital used to be tested before admission
Now: First they will be kept in quarantine for one week and then tested
Earlier: Few people, doctors and policemen were testing twice or thrice
Now: Testing just once
Earlier and Now: Private laboratories probably can continue testing all including Walk-ins and asymptomatic
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