ICMR EXPLORING WAYS TO SCALE UP TESTS
Shifting from its earlier strategy of less number of tests, India is gearing up to conduct mass Covid-19 tests. So far, the country has been conducting less than 20,000 tests a day.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is exploring all possible ways which can help the country in scaling up Covid-19 testing capacity to 1 lakh individuals by the end of this month. The target of number of tests has been set after scientifically calculating the worst-case scenario of the coronavirus spread. As per experts, to understand the spread of Covid-19 across the country and to mitigate the crisis, the country needs to scale up its testing process.
Dr Lokesh Sharma of the ICMR told The Sunday Guardian: “We are working on the possibilities that can help the ICMR scale up the Covid-19 testing capacity. We have already channelised many strategies to mitigate the virus crisis and scaling up the testing capacity is one of them.” In terms of the testing data available as on 6 April 2020, Maharashtra with 17,563 samples collection is on the top. The state is one of the hotspots of the virus.
With 14,274, Rajasthan is ranked second on the higher number of test-conducting states, while Kerala with 10,716 samples and Delhi with 8,464 samples collection are respectively on the third and fourth ranks in conducting a higher number of tests. The nature of the pandemic is dynamic and, therefore, the prediction of Covid-19 spread is difficult, but scientists are in agreement that at least 5-6 lakh tests might give them the insight to make some kind of prediction. ICMR has allowed the use of the rapid antibody tests, especially in the areas that have been declared as coronavirus hotspots. Also, the body is working to allow round-the-clock RNA extraction facility and for that, the researching body is coordinating with the existing laboratories. The antibody blood test (rapid test) takes 10-15 minutes to give results and work on blood samples.
Many private laboratories have collaborated to provide better response needed in scaling up Covid-19 testing.
True to its reputation as the country’s lifeline, Indian Railways has come forward to put all its might and resources behind the national effort to fight the coronavirus. In a short span of time, it has achieved almost half the initial task of 5,000 coaches by being able to convert 2,500 train coaches into medical hubs. So 40,000 isolation beds are now ready for contingency. On an average, 375 coaches are being converted by the Railways in a day at 133 locations.
My nephew’s 32-year-old son is Kovid, who is a consultant with a jewellery firm in Delhi. When coronavirus broke and the whole country went into lockdown, he began working online from home. Initially, he and other members of the family were apprehensive that many unknown persons might react in a negative manner hearing his name, confusing it with COVID as the deadly virus is also called.
“But so far no one has questioned me about my name. Maybe, I am dealing with persons known to me in my line of profession,” Kovid told The Sunday Guardian. “But you never know, someone may ask me to stay away from me as fear is gripping people about the word ‘COVID’,” he added laughing. According to him, Kovid means “a wise man”. He points out that one can find it in Hanuman Chalisa.