In a bid to lower the load on laboratories and allow quicker detection of Covid-19 positive circumstances in the second wave, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has authorized Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT). ICMR has also authorized 36 RATs to ramp up testing. ICMR on Wednesday also issued fresh advisory for Covid-19 testing that does away with RT-PCR tests for inter-state domestic travel.
There will be also be no testing for these who have recovered from Covid, and RT-PCR testing will not be repeated just after an person tests positive applying either RAT or RT-PCR.
Laboratories across the nation are facing challenges to meet the anticipated testing target due to extraordinary case load and employees acquiring infected with Covid-19. So, to optimize the RT-PCR testing and simultaneously boost the access and availability of testing, the ICMR mentioned it was permitting RAT tests.
V K Paul, member, wellness, Niti Aayog, mentioned even though RT-PCR was the gold common for Covid testing, the circumstance in the nation demanded quicker detection and therapy of circumstances so RAT will complement RT-PCR in the nation. RAT has its personal location and was helpful in surveillance and containment exactly where higher transmission and an intensity of infection was taking place which is what the circumstance in the nation is, Paul mentioned.
As per ICMR advisory, there will be no have to have for RT-PCR test in healthier people for inter-state domestic travel. RT-PCR test will not be repeated in any person who has tested positive as soon as either by RAT or RT-PCR. No testing would be essential for Covid-19 recovered people at the time of hospital discharge.
States have to guarantee complete utilisation of the offered RT-PCR testing capacity in each in public and private laboratories. States have been asked to augment their RT-PCR testing capacity by applying mobile testing laboratories that are now offered on GeM portal. To strengthen access and availability of testing, RATs have been encouraged in India for Covid-19 testing in June 2020. However, the use of these tests was restricted to containment zones and wellness care settings as RAT had a quick turn turnaround time of 15-30 minutes and hence gives a massive benefit of fast detection of circumstances, isolate and therapy, ICMR mentioned.
RAT would be permitted at all government and private healthcare facilities. Dedicated RAT booths would be permitted in cities, towns and villages to supply testing to individuals. Testing booths is to be set up at a number of places, which includes healthcare facilities, offices, schools, colleges, neighborhood centres and other offered vacant spaces. These booths have to be operational on a 24×7 basis to strengthen access and availability of testing.
It has also recommended creation of drive-via RAT testing facilities at practical places.