Thread by @mathangcito, Thread on important stories on #COVID19 testing in India There are 51 [...]

Thread on important stories on #COVID19 testing in India

There are 51 private labs with 16k sample collection centres across India. They are collectively testing less than 500 samples a day. Why? https://bit.ly/2JtD35A

Covid-19: Private labs face home testing hiccups

Several private labs say they are stuck between following state government directives and ICMR guidelines, such as home collection of samples. This is allowed by the ICMR, which also lists 16,000...

https://bit.ly/2JtD35A

Apart from pricing, there are delays in results and also quality issues with private labs: https://bit.ly/3aAym5H

Give Covid-19 test results in 48 hrs, not 4 days, pvt labs told | Mumbai News - Times of India

Mumbai: The state has directed private laboratories to speed up testing of Covid-19 samples to produce results within 48 hours or less from the up to .

https://bit.ly/3aAym5H

Not everything is ok with ICMR's network of government labs either. Despite increasing demand, just 36% capacity is being used. Faced with inadequate supply of kits, state governments are tapping private companies for expanded testing: https://bit.ly/2UD4Yqa

States tap private companies for coronavirus testing kits

“We dont have enough supplies and may run out of kits by the end of this week,” a health department official in Chhattisgarh told ET. The state has revised its strategy to include testing of all...

https://bit.ly/2UD4Yqa

Meanwhile, experts are looking to modify TB test to track Covid-19 infection. When existing capacity is under-utilised, why are they looking at a diagnostic test https://bit.ly/2UWXBse

Experts looking to modify TB test to track Covid-19 infection

Experts are looking at modifying the cartridge-based nuclei acid amplification test — CBNAAT diagnostic test of GeneXpert — so that it can be used for testing the coronavirus. “A different type of...

https://bit.ly/2UWXBse

Devadasan, a public health professional, answers the all-important question: are the numbers in India low because of inadequate testing and underreporting? https://bit.ly/340On2y

Did India overreact? Covid-19 outbreak isn’t following the trajectory of Europe and China – so far

There is reason to be cautiously optimistic.

https://bit.ly/340On2y

... and finally in this interview, AIIMS director Randeep Guleria explains India's testing strategy: https://bit.ly/2wLGodB

An Expert Explains: ‘We are lucky cases have not skyrocketed, but I don’t think we should sit back’

Testing everyone will need a use of lot of resources and will not give us any concrete data. Testing the population that needs to be tested and which will help policymakers to make a decision is...

https://bit.ly/2wLGodB

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