ICMR asks states to use rapid antibody tests for surveillance in COVID-19 hotspots

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has written to all states asking m to use rapid antibody tests for surveillance in COVID-19 hotspots.

It underlined that old standard frontline test for vel coronavirus diagsis is a real-time PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) based molecular test, which is aimed at early virus detection.

In a letter to all chief secretaries and principal secretaries (health) of states, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bharagava listed protocol for using ‘rapid antibody test’ in hotspot area for epidemiological studies and surveillance.

India received five lakh rapid antibody testing kits from China on Thursday and se, health ministry officials, said are being distributed to states for districts with high burden of infection.

Chief of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at ICMR Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar on Thursday had said that rapid antibody test kits procured are t meant for early diagsis, but "only for surveillance and trend checking".

" National Task Force at ICMR has carefully reviewed data evolving from various countries on use of such kits. Based on available evidences, testing strategy for COVID-19 has been revised furr," Bhargava said.

Stating it was critical to understand few key facts while using rapid antibody tests, Bhargava said gold standard frontline test for COVID-19 diagsis is real-time PCR based molecular test, which is aimed at early virus detection and rapid antibody test cant replace frontline test.

" rapid antibody test is a supplementary tool to assess prevalence of diseases within a specific area/perimeter. It will only be of utility after a minimum of seven days of onset of symptoms.

"Data about se rapid tests is emerging and understanding of ir utility for diagsis is still evolving. rapid test kits are useful for epidemiological studies and surveillance purposes," he said.

test has to be done under strict medical supervision.

In case, state does t have a hotspot, se tests may be used for: any hotspot which may emerge in future or as a surveillance tool for epidemiological purpose in such areas where cases have t emerged so far, ICMR said.

Before rapid test, it should be registered in COVI19cc.nic.in/ICMR and data related to test should be reported on same, he said.