58.6% of state’s Covid-19 cases reported in July; tally 422,118

The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is the goldstandard when it comes to Covid-19 testing. It is used for the detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in swabs taken from suspected patients and detects the genetic signature of the virus. A process done in labs, it can take up to 4-5 hours.

Although there are rare instances where this can give out false negative and false positives, it is the most definitive test currently available that detects SARS-CoV-2 and should be used as often as possible.

MUMBAI: Maharashtra on Friday recorded 10,320 fresh Covid-19 cases to push the state’s tally to 422,118. It also recorded 265 fatalities on Friday, taking the state’s death toll to 14,993. July turned out to be the worst month for Maharashtra with respect to Covid-19 numbers, as the state recorded 247,357 cases or more than half of the total (58.6%), while also reporting 7,139 (47.62% of the state’s total) deaths due to the viral infection during the

Antigens are substances in our bodies that stimulate an immune response (proteins, polysaccharides, lipids or nucleic acids). Each antigen has distinct surface features that antigen test kits are designed to detect. These usually provide results within 30 minutes.

Since these tests can possibly lead to false negatives, several cases can slide under the radar. But, it can be used in small areas of hot spots to test every resident and quickly isolate as many patients as possible. month.

The state also crossed the landmark of 2.50 lakh recoveries with 7,543 patients discharged on Friday, taking the total recoveries to 256,158. With fresh cases and recoveries recorded on Friday, the state now has 150,662 active cases. On Friday, the state tested 59,970 samples and recorded a positivity rate of 17.20%.

Meanwhile, Mumbai continued to record around 1,000 cases as it reported 1,085 fresh infections, taking the tally to 114,284. It also recorded 53 fatalities, taking the city’s death toll to 6,353.

Serological tests look for antibodies (proteins that can fight off infections) in blood that would indicate a previous infection. People who show antibodies are also likely to be immune in the short-term. Identifying prevalence enables officials to determine how widely the disease has spread.

Sero surveillance tests can’t be used to diagnose infections. These can only be used to get an idea of prevalence, which can guide control measures, such as lockdowns and social distancing in the area.

Of the 53 deaths in the city, 45 patients had co-morbidities, three were below 40 years of age and 40 were above 60 years of age, and 10 were between 40 to 60 years.

Active cases in Mumbai stood at 20,563 and so far, 87,074 patients have been discharged, with a recovery rate of 76%. The doubling rate of Mumbai, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) data, is now 76 days and the case growth rate is 0.92%.