Centre scales up COVID-19 testing capacity with over 16,000 collection centres

As number of COVID-19 cases continues to multiply, Central government anunced on Friday that capacity for testing Coronavirus has been increased in country. 

" capacity of testing has been up-scaled through 146 government labs, 67 private labs with more than 16,000 collection centres. Furr, rapid diagstic kits have been sanctioned and guidelines for us have been issued and orders have alrey been placed," an official statement re.

Furr, considering  urgent requirement for medical equipment, Centre has also exempted  Basic Customs Duty and Health tax on import of vital goods such as ventilators, face masks, surgical masks, personal protection equipment (PPE), COVID-19 test kits and inputs for manufacturing se items.

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'16,002 tests conducted in one day'

Union Health Ministry on Friday informed that it h reached its peak of testing since pandemic has gripped country as it stated that on Thursday it conducted 16,002 tests in a day. Health Secretary Lav Aggarwal also pointed out ar positive as he mentioned that out of 16,002 tests conducted only 2% of those tested were positive. In press briefing on Friday, ICMR also informed that so far 1,44,910 samples have been tested and out of se, 5,705 samples have tested positive.  

In its daily briefing, Health Ministry informed that it has alrey sanctioned rapid diagstic kits and at present, re are 39 manufacturers of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) in country. This comes after it was reported that re is a short of PPEs for healthcare workers in country. Highlighting distribution of N-95 masks to states, Health Secretary Lav Aggarwal said that states have w been provided with 20 lakh masks. "We have also placed an order of 49,000 ventilators," Ministry ded. 

total COVID-19 positive cases in country witnessed ar single-day jump, taking tally to 6,872.

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(With inputs from ncies)