Covid-19: UP conducts 3.3 lakh tests in 24 hrs, is 1st state to top 5cr screenings

LUCKNOW: With over 3.3 lakh Covid tests undertaken in the last 24 hours, UP became the first state to conduct over 5 crore tests to screen citizens for coronavirus.
As per state health department data, 3.33 lakh Covid-19 tests were conducted in past 24 hours taking the total tests conducted in the state to 5.07 crore. This is over 14% of total tests done in the country since the onset of pandemic. In terms of technique, 45% were conducted through RT-PCR method.
State government officers stated over 65% tests conducted during the second wave were done in rural areas with help of rapid response teams. More than 61 lakh tests were done in April of which 63% were in rural areas. Likewise, in May, 70% of 85 lakh tests were done in villages. An official spokesperson said, UP has come a long way in terms of testing. “Earlier, samples would be sent to NIV, Pune, but infrastructure was quickly ramped up to set up testing centres here.” Officials said, despite being the most populous state in the country, UP has outpaced other states, including Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan by conducting an average of 1.50 lakh RT-PCR tests daily. Officials pointed out that the strategy of test and treat has helped UP to limit the virus spread.