Covid-19: Hyderabad had positive rate of 0.78% last week, 47% PCR tests

HYDERABAD: Between June 9 and June 15, the city had a Covid-19 positivity rate of 0.78 per cent. What is also significant is that 47 per cent of the tests conducted during this period were RT-PCR tests.

While the rate of RT-PCR testing is higher in Hyderabad and neighbouring districts than other districts of the state, the city’s testing capacity is still low compared to many other districts and major cities in other states. Given the scenario, experts have warned against over-reliance on any single method of testing.
In other districts, antigen testing account for 70 to 90 per cent of tests while Medchal-Malkajgiri and Rangareddy districts have RT-PCR contribute 52 and 50 per cent of total tests respectively. Health experts said the state has to follow a mix-and-match formula for testing.
Professor for operations management at Indian School of Business (ISB) Hyderabad Sarang Deo who is currently studying the testing patterns in several states, has observed that states have to follow the dual swab system method advised by World Health Organisation (WHO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Under the dual swab system, two samples can be taken from the same person of which one can be sent for RT-PCR testing and the other for antigen. If the antigen test returns positive then there is no need for an RT-PCR.
“Many states don’t follow this and simply adopt the formula of 70 per cent antigen and 30 per cent RT-PCR testing. There should not be too much dependence on either antigen or RT-PCR,” Professor Deo said.