‘No RT-PCR needed if…’ : ICMR revises guidelines for COVID-19 testing

The Indian Council of Medical Research has issued revised guidelines for Covid testing due to tremendous pressure on laboratories amid a massive surge in Covid cases. According to the revised guidelines, RT-PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RAT or RT-PCR and that testing is not required for COVID-19-recovered individuals The advisory added that that mandatory RT-PCR tests for healthy people undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to ease the pressure on testing labs.

“The RT-PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RAT or RT-PCR. The need for RT-PCR test in healthy individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to reduce the load on laboratories,” the advisory recommended.

“No testing is required for COVID-19-recovered individuals at the time of hospital discharge,” it added.

𝐈𝐂𝐌𝐑 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐜. @MoHFW_INDIA @PIB_India @COVIDNewsByMIB @MIB_India @ pic.twitter.com/kkY2hacpWW

— ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) May 4, 2021

The apex health research body also recommended upscaling testing using RATs and stated that RAT may be allowed at all available government and private healthcare facilities and setting up dedicated RAT booths in cities, towns and villages to offer testing to people.

Non-essential travel and interstate travel of symptomatic individuals (COVID-19 or flu- like symptoms) should be essentially avoided to reduce the risk of infection and that all asymptomatic individuals undertaking essential travel must follow COVID-19-appropriate behaviour, it stated.

Also Read: 

Death of Covid patients due to oxygen shortage no less than a genocide: Allahabad High Court

THe apex medical body also recommended setting up testing facilities at locations like healthcare facilities, RWA, offices, schools, colleges, community centres and other vacant spaces.

India has been reporting over 3 lakh daily coronavirus cases for 10 days. On May 05, India’s Covid caseload hit 2.06 crore with over 3.82 lakh new cases as the crisis continues to crush the healthcare system.