Tests scale 15K peak in UP but backlog poses challenge
State health department working to strengthen existing laboratories, establish new ones and install machines to clear pending samples even as a targeted drive has been launched across UP
LUCKNOW: Laboratories across Uttar Pradesh tested a record 15,762 samples for the coronavirus on Saturday, but 4,448 samples were pending, according to official data released on Sunday.
In fact, clearing the backlog of samples is turning out to be another challenge for the state health department that is working to strengthen the network of laboratories.
A state government officer said 12,000 to 13,000 samples were being dispatched to 23 government and 10 private laboratories across the state for tests daily. On an average, each laboratory has the capacity to test 1,200 samples per day. A large flow of samples was leading to a big backlog in all laboratories, he added.
Laboratories were directed to test the pending samples on priority, he said.
The officer added that the state health department was working on a multi-pronged strategy to clear pendency, increase testing capacity of laboratories, install new machines, establish new laboratories and strengthen the human resource in the laboratories, he said.
Till Friday, 9,000 to 10,000 samples remained pending in laboratories. The backlog came down to 4,448 on Saturday.
Under a weeklong targeted sample collection drive launched in 75 districts on Friday, a large number of samples are being sent to laboratories and this may add to the backlog. A contact tracing sample collection drive is also continuing simultaneously in all the districts.
Medical experts feel that with a surge in instances of coronavirus infection, the state health department should launch a statewide random sample collection and test campaign to find out if there was a community spread of the coronavirus. Indian Medical Association member Dr AK Singh said the state health department should focus on testing of samples, particularly those of vulnerable people or communities, to get a clear picture of the spread of the coronavirus infection.
Principal secretary, health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad said the state health department was constantly working to increase the daily test tally.
After achieving the 15,000 per day test target, the state health department has now set the target of 20,000 sample tests by June 30. In February-March, the samples from Uttar Pradesh were dispatched to National Institute of Virology, Pune and National Centre for Disease Control, New Delhi, for tests. Gradually, the state health department built its test capacity with a network of laboratories. Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a 60-fold increase in testing of samples since start of the Covid pandemic, Prasad said. The state government procured new testing machines that went on to help the state health department in increasing the number of tests, he added.
The new testing machines include TrueNat machines in all the districts, automated RNA Extractor, RT-PCR machine and biosafety cabinet.
Another health department officer said the state government decided to establish virology laboratories in all 75 districts to increase the testing of samples. Funds were released for this purpose and construction work was in full swing, he said, adding the laboratories will become functional after three months.
An office bearer of the UP Laboratories Technician Association, who did not wish to be named, said laboratory technicians were working round the clock in hospitals, collecting samples and assisting the staff in conducting tests.
Out of the 3,100 posts of laboratory technicians, 1,529 were
TILL FRIDAY, 9,000 TO 10,000 SAMPLES REMAINED PENDING IN LABORATORIES. THE BACKLOG CAME DOWN TO 4,448 ON SATURDAY.
lying vacant when the Covid pandemic began, he said. Since then, the state government filled 729 posts. Yet, 800 posts were still vacant, he said. The long-pending demands of laboratory technicians include salary revision and promotion, regular training and orientation, he added.
Some states had rewarded lab technicians by giving them a month’s extra salary, he added.
A state government officer said the state health department was directed to test samples in laboratories according to fresh Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. The state government has also revised its guidelines for the sample test accordingly, he said.