Hyderabad: The rapid increase in suspected cases of Covid second-wave infections in Hyderabad and other parts of the state have put a lot of pressure on private and government RT-PCR testing laboratories, which take between two and three days to process the samples.
Due to a large pool of suspects Covid patients, except for RT-PCR tests, it has become difficult to get fast antigen tests at government testing centers and individuals are forced to make multiple visits.
The excessive delay in Covid tests have people with suspected symptoms of Covid infections in dilemma. Many people end up waiting for two to three days for the arrival of RT-PCR tests or bring them several visits to the nearest government testing facility for a quick antigen test. In addition, there are many cases of individuals during the second second wave, despite the fact that they had it Covid symptoms, test negative in RT-PCR tests.
Address such people who are unsure of them Covid despite the symptoms, senior health officials and doctors urged people not to wait for tests if they had symptoms. Health officials have pointed out that even the recent Covid treatment guidelines issued by AIIMS-ICMR state that the non-availability of Covid tests should not deny or delay treatment.
Public health officials have advised the general public, especially those who do have Covid symptoms but have not yet been tested, or the tests are delayed or tested negative despite the symptoms (false negatives), they should call in a GP immediately. Covid treatment and isolate themselves in their homes.
During their home isolation, patients should regularly monitor their vital health parameters such as oxygen saturation level and temperature. ‘The number of suspected cases increased during the second wave. As a result, laboratory diagnostic facilities at all government and private facilities are under tremendous pressure. Eventually, the majority of individuals wait at least three days for the tests and take no medication until then. It can be counterproductive. Therefore, persons with suspects Covid “symptoms should not hesitate to take treatment first so that the disease does not progress,” said senior health officials.
Source: Telangana Today