Fourteen medical college and hospitals (MCH) have been asked to carry out rapid tests in 28 districts of West Bengal. The West Bengal health department has given clearance for rapid antibody testing for Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in hotspots, cluster areas and containment zones, it was said in an advisory on Sunday.
However, the medical college and hospitals must take prior permission to conduct the tests from the state health department for this, which will be granted as per the requirement.
The rapid tests can be used as a surveillance tool in those areas where no COVID-19 cases have been found.
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The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had allowed rapid testing for COVID-19 as it gives results within 30 minutes. However, rapid testing will be of use only after seven days of onset of symptoms and cannot replace the molecular testing, it was said by ICMR.
The state government has also started pool testing by molecular testing method to increase the number of tests done with limited number of kits. For this, five persons can be tested at a time. If a pool of samples is found to test positive, then the persons comprising that pool will be tested individually for COVID-19.
Pool testing of samples can act as surveillance on asymptomatic individuals in areas where the incidence of COVID-19 is low.
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