Doctor's association opposes BMC's direction of physical exam before COVID-19 swab test

Association of Medical Consultants in Mumbai has opposed BMC's circular directing private practitioners t to recommend COVID-19 swab tests to anyone without physical examination. doctor's association has cited that guidelines issued by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) where mention that physical examination is a must before recommending COVID-19 swab test. 

This comes after Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai had issued a circular stating that strict action may be taken against doctors who recommend swab testing to a person without physical examination. Association of Medical Consultants has claimed that BMC has stated that if a patient physically visits a clinic all staff in clinic and people in vicinity become prone to infection. 

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BMC takes over 80% of beds in private hospitals

With number of Coronavirus cases continuing to rise in financial capital of country, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Iqbal Chahal earlier anunced that BMC will take over 80% of beds in private hospitals. se beds will be used for COVID-19 and n-COVID patients by bifurcating it as per requirement. he decision is also expected to help in having a standard fee for COVID treatment. BMC Commissioner had revealed on Sunday that civic body shall soon increase bed capacity for COVID-19 treatment to one lakh in Mumbai.

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ICMR revises testing guidelines

In revised guidelines issued, asymptomatic, direct and high-risk contacts of COVID-19 positive patients must be tested between 5-10 days of coming into contact. Amid heavy movement of migrant labourers across country via Shramik trains, buses and on-foot in some cases, ICMR has mandated symptomatic returnees to be tested within seven days. This was mentioned by MHA while releasing guidelines on returning migrants' quarantine. As Centre reduced health briefings to four days a week, ICMR scientists have been absent from press briefings - reason has been given as such.

(With inputs from ANI)

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Im Credits: PTI