India's Coronavirus testing gets big boost: ICMR to get 7 lakh rapid antibody testing kits

India's fight against Coronavirus pandemic is all set to get a major boost as Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will get about 7 lakh rapid antibody testing kits by April 8. se will help in conducting COVID-19 tests in hotspot areas where a large number of cases are being seen. According to news ncy ANI, ICMR has placed orders and will get delivery in a phased manner. It is expected that y will get 5 lakh kits in 1st phase.

ICMR DG asks health secy to disseminate advisory

ICMR Director-General has written to Health Secretary, asking her to disseminate in states and Union territories advisory to start rapid antibody-based blood tests for COVID-19. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday issued advisory to start rapid antibody-based blood tests for COVID-19 in areas reporting clusters and in large migration garings or evacuee centres.

"Overall testing for COVID-19 using real-time RT PCR is increasing and we will be approaching full capacity in near future. At same time, we are expecting delivery of Rapid Test kits (blood-based) for use in response to COVID-19 situation," ICMR DG Balram Bhargava said in his letter to health secretary Preeti Sudan.

National Task Force deliberated with experts for ascertaining use of se rapid test kits and draft of suggested algorithm was also discussed in detail with technical experts from Health Ministry and inputs were included in final version which is feasible for implementation in field conditions, he said.

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advisory to start rapid antibody-based blood test for COVID-19, in clusters (with containment zones), and in large migration garings or evacuees centres is w available at ICMR website, he said. " same may please be furr disseminated to all States/UTs along with operational guidelines for implementation and roles and responsibilities for implementation," Bhargava said.

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Reports of tests may be entered by respective facilities on ICMR portal similar to results of real-time RT PCR tests for COVID-19, he said. results of antibody tests similar to blood tests are available in 15-30 minutes.

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According to Health Ministry, re has been an increase of 490 coronavirus cases in last 12 hours, taking India's total number of positive cases past 4000-mark. re are 4067 total cases in India, including 3666 active cases, 292 cured/discharged/migrated people. 109 people have died, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

READ | ICMR issues advisory for rapid antibody-based blood tests for COVID-19

(With PTI inputs)