ICMR facility to conduct 1,000 COVID-19 tests daily in Puducherry: CM V Narayanasamy

Ramping up testing amid increasing cases of COVID-19, Puducherry government has roped in ICMR-sponsored Vector Control Research Centre (VCRC) here to screen 1,000 samples daily soon, in addition to existing capacity.

Chief Minister V Narayanasamy told a virtual press conference on Monday that he had spoken to Chairman of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), seeking VCRC's cooperation for testing swab samples for COVID-19.

" Chairman has conceded my request and very soon VCRC would start testing and this would be in addition to what state-run medical college hospital and Centrally- sponsored JIPMER are doing," he said.

Expressing concern over "negligence on part of youth and also d in observing safety protocols" for COVID-19, he said that current spike in number of cases was largely due to carelessness on part of se vulnerable sections.

"However, much government tries to contain spread of virus, failure to adhere to safety protocols is largely responsible for rise in number of cases here," he added. Puducherry's COVID-19 tally rose to 17,316 while death toll due to disease stood at 325 on Monday.

(Photo Credit: PTI)