The Centre has allowed Maharashtra to conduct rapid, mass-scale COVID-19 testing by using blood samples to expedite the detection of coronavirus cases, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday.
The State government will use blood samples instead of swabs in rapid tests through which it can be ascertained “in five minutes” whether the person has developed anti-bodies for the disease or not, he said.
Talking to reporters after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a video conference with all Chief Ministers to discuss ways to check the spread of coronavirus, Mr. Tope also informed that around 3.25 lakh migrant labourers are in State-run shelters across Maharashtra.
Besides Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, the video conference was also attended by Mr. Tope and State Home Minister Anil Des