RT-PCR testing rate in city up to 90% now

New Delhi, Dec. 21: RTPCR tests account for 88.50 per cent of the total Covid19 tests conducted so far in December, up from 50 per cent in the corresponding month last year, according to government data. Officials said the increase can be attributed to the “credibility” associated with RT-PCR tests and better testing infrastructure as compared to last year.

Government data showed that out of 11.86 lakh Covid tests conducted so far in December, 10.49 lakh were RT-PCR tests.

The RT-PCR testing rate increased from 50.24 per cent in December last year to 57.65 per cent in January, 64.81 per cent in February, 64.29 per cent in March, 66.02 per cent in April, and 75.17 per cent in May.

It declined to 71.42 per cent in June, 69.69 per cent in July, and 69.81 per cent in August, before increasing again.

RT-PCR tests accounted for 70.08 per cent of the total tests conducted in September and 74.40 per cent in October.

In November, 12.31 lakh (82.74 per cent) of the total 14.87 lakh tests conducted were RT-PCR tests.

The improvement in the testing infrastructure over the last year is a major reason for the increase in the number of RT-PCR tests, apart from it being the “more reliable” method. Now, more labs are conducting RT-PCR tests and the results arrive sooner than before, a government official said.

A senior doctor at the Lok Nayak Hospital said authorities consider RTPCR test results “authentic,” be it for travel, admission to hospital, or for entering any place.

It could be one of the reasons why more people are going for RT-PCR tests, he said.