India has been crippling to battle mounting cases for the last one month. Since the staff of hospitals and labs are already overwhelmed with work, The Indian Council of Medical Research has issued fresh guidelines. Since the laboratories are facing challenges to meet the expected testing target, The ICMR directed that the RT-PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once. The statement further added that there will be no testing required for Covid-19 recovered patients during discharge at hospitals.
ICMR Wants To Remove Mandatory RT-PCR Test For Domestic Travel
Many states have also mandated RT-PCR tests for inter-state travel. However, ICMR now wants to do away with this rule. The ICMR is planning to remove mandatory negative RT-PCR test reports for inter-state domestic travel. In an official notification, ICMR wrote: “The need for RT-PCR test in healthy individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to reduce the load on laboratories”.
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Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issues advisory for COVID19 testing during the second wave of the pandemic; RTPCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RAT or RTPCR. pic.twitter.com/Tjkez7lmaL
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2021
ICMR Advised To Skip RT-PCR Test In Recovered COVID Patients
ICMR also advised skipping the RT-PCR test if a Covid positive patient has completed 10 days of quarantine and did not report fever in the last three days. The statement said that RT PCR test must not be repeated in any individual who has tested positive once either by RT PCR or RAT.
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The need of RTPCR test in healthy individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to reduce load on laboratories. All asymptomatic individuals understanding essential travel must follow COVID appropriate behavior: ICMR
— ANI (@ANI) May 4, 2021
The change in guidelines comes as hospitals and labs overwhelm with Covid-19 patients. The increasing number of cases is making the health care system crumble. The recent explosion in cases has led to a shortage of beds, oxygen cylinders an ventilators. In cities like Delhi and Bengaluru, there is almost a waiting of seven days if a person is trying to get the Covid-19 test done at their home.