The Union Ministry of Health updated its advice on the Covid-19 testing strategy and introduced on-demand tests without a prescription. However, it has granted state authorities the right to modify the modules accordingly.
“An entirely new section has been added to the Notice on ‘On-Demand Testing’ which, for all practical purposes, removes the prescription by a registered physician, although state governments are free to decide on simplified modalities,” he said the Ministry of Health in a statement.
The advisory produced tests on demand in several given environments:
It should be noted that state governments must decide on simplified modalities. The on-demand test facility can be used by:
- All persons traveling to countries / states in India that require a negative COVID-19 test at the point of entry.
- All people who want to be tested.
The analysis laboratories must guarantee the mechanisms for monitoring and locating contacts by notifying the public health authorities.
The Ministry of Health also highlighted the frequency of Covid-19 tests. He stated that a single positive RT-PCR / TrueNat / CBNAAT / RAT test should be considered confirmatory, without repeating the test.
Retesting prior to discharge from a COVID-19 facility after clinical recovery (see MoHFW guidelines) is not recommended, even for transfer from a COVID area / facility to a non-COVID area / facility.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had previously updated its Covid-19 testing strategy with on-demand facility guidelines.
In its guidelines, the ICMR suggested that 100% of people living in containment zones should undergo rapid antigen testing, especially in cities where there has been widespread transmission of the infection.
“Ideally, it is suggested that 100% of people living in containment zones should be screened by RAT, particularly in cities where there has been widespread transmission of the infection,” the ICMR guidelines say.
He also stressed that no emergency procedures (including deliveries) should be delayed for lack of testing, and pregnant women should not be referred for lack of testing facilities.
Mothers who test positive for COVID-19 should be advised to wear a mask and wash their hands frequently while handling their baby for 14 days. They should also be counseled on cleaning the breasts before feeding the newborn.
In addition, existing recommendations related to COVID-19 testing have been expanded, developed, and divided into four parts: routine surveillance in containment zones and detection at points of entry, routine surveillance in uncontained areas, hospital settings, and tests on demand. – and the choice of test (RT-PCR, TrueNat or CBNAAT and rapid antigen tests) has been listed in order of priority. For details on Covid-19 testing procedures, click here.
The guidelines also say that no emergency procedures should be delayed for lack of a test.
If symptoms develop after a negative RAT test, the RAT or RT-PCR should be repeated, he added.
Home quarantine for 14 days is recommended for everyone before undergoing elective surgery to minimize the chances of infection prior to the procedure.
Meanwhile, India’s Covid-19 infection count surpassed 40 lakh, with a record 86,432 cases reported in a single day, while recoveries rose to 31,07,223 on Saturday, raising the recovery rate. to 77.23%, according to the Ministry of Health of the Union. data.
Total coronavirus cases amounted to 40,23,179, while the death toll rose to 69,561 with 1,089 people succumbing to the disease within 24 hours, data updated at 8 a.m. showed.
There are 8.46,395 active cases of coronavirus infection, which is 21.04 percent of the total number of cases, according to the data.
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