The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has directed the States not to use the COVID-19 rapid testing kits for the next two days following reports of wide variations in results.
The kits would be tested and validated by ICMR teams and an advisory on their use issued in the next two days. If they were found to be not up to the mark, replacements would be sought from the manufacturers, ICMR spokesperson Dr. R.R. Gangakhedkar said on Tuesday.
COVID-19 | Interactive map of confirmed coronavirus cases in India
ICMR officials said the quality issues with the test kits, currently being used to study community transmission, would put on hold survey in several States temporarily.
Rajasthan halts testing
The Rajasthan government on Tuesday decided to halt rapid antibody tests after an experts’ team questioned the use of the newly distributed Chinese testing kits following inaccurate results. The health authorities had started the testing on those with symptoms at designated points on Friday.
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said at a videoconference with journalists in Jaipur that since his request to Prime Minister Narendra Modi a fortnight ago to carry out centralised purchasing of medical equipment was not heeded, the kits of inferior quality had been supplied to the States. “This has seriously hampered our efforts to get fast test results for starting the treatment and contain the spread of the virus.” The advisory issued by the ICMR to the States to not use testing kits for the next two days was “most unfortunate”, as the medical apex body could not ensure good quality of testing kits. “Even at this late stage, the Centre should take an urgent action to procure the equipment from reliable sources and supply them to the States,” he said.
Also read: Rajasthan ceases use of rapid testing kits as most results invalid
The ICMR has maintained that among the total COVID-19 tests conducted so far, 69% were asymptomatic cases and 31% symptomatic. India on Tuesday registered over 1,336 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 18,985. The total number of deaths stands at 603, while 3,259 people recovered/ cured so far, which includes 705 people cured in the last 24 hours. So far, India has registered 17.48% COVID-19 recovery rate, according to the Health Ministry.
“Four districts — Mahe [Puducherry], Kodagu [Karnataka], Pauri Garhwal [Uttrakhand] a