WHY WE NEED THE LARGE SCALE COVID19 TEST DRIVE IN INDIA?

At present, India has around 39,980 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the country is still facing this pandemic very boldly. It has been observed that the number of patients is increasing day-by-day.

The health department of every city along with the police force is taking every possible measure to protect the citizens from this pandemic. People are getting keenly aware of this disease and the number of tests taken every day is also increased as compared to the previous month record.

With these rising COVID-19 patients, it has become essential for India, which is Asia’s third-largest economy, to increase the Coronavirus Test Centers by tenfold.

However, the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) would elevate the Coronavirus Testing capacity to 1 lakh per day which is currently 18000 per day. This crucial step was the prerequisite to face the worst-case scenario in the coming days.

The Overall Effect

The government had announced a 21-day along with the current 17-day lockdown across the country which is why the business economy has slowed down again.

Not least, but the International Monetary Fund had already declared a recession which would definitely take some time to get things back on track.

However, the medical research body also allows the use of rapid antibody tests because the new coronavirus hotspots have emerged in the country. ICMR has approved more than 200 labs that include the public and private COVID 19 Lab in India ‌.

This testing can be done through RT-PCR machines that can genetically detect the pathogen. Also, the government has been identifying different research institutes, government labs as well as private labs, and medical colleges that have all the capability and infrastructure to manage Corona Testing.

To take control of this pandemic, the ICMR is also looking to shift into working models at currently working labs. Also, it is also trying to connect with other states as well to increase the workforce to handle a number of functions such as data entry and RNA extraction.

On April 6, 2020, the ICMR acquired over 10 lakh RT-PCR kits. It is in the process of validating new kits that have all authorization.

What Is the COVID-19 test-drive process?

The test-drive tests start with filling an online information sheet that the individual is required to fill appropriately. The sheet will have all the required information about the patient i.e. the patient’s symptoms and the doctor’s prescription.

However, they are also required to mention their vehicle numbers. Then, the model of their car is then processed for collection. In India, each Corona Test Cost is Rs. 3500, and this price is set in sync with the guidelines set for private labs by ICMR.

Once the patient’s registration is completed, the patient is provided with a list of instructions in PDF format. It will include the pointers under ‘How’, ‘Why’, and ‘What’ parts.

However, as per the survey conducted by the medical organizations, the COVID-19 test drive is the most important step taken towards the betterment of the country as it fetches more precise information about the patients.

Down the line, if the nation really needs to get out of the woods of Coronavirus, then the health department must conduct a large scale test drive in India. This will not only help the nation to have a good health factor but also will help economically as well.