Chandigarh: For testing of Covid-19 diagnostics with high throughput with existing resources and settings, the Punjab government has decided to adopt the transmerase transcription chain reaction reverse swab-direct (RT-PCR).
Testing with this method will begin later this month from government medical colleges in Patiala based on pilots.
With the same resources and there are no additional fees, experts say this method will help test more samples at faster speeds.
At present, Punjab uses conventional and fast RT-PCR antigen tests to detect Covid.
The method developed by the CSIR-CCMB Hyderabad is said to have a sensitivity of 79% and the specificity is 99% compared to the standard RT-PCR test using viral transportation media (VTM) and RNA extraction.
Instead of using VTM, this method involves gathering and transporting nasal swabs in dry state, making transportation and handling samples easy and less susceptible to spills, and the spread of infection.
Hussan Lal’s main health secretary stated that dry testing methods were being adopted based on pilots in one district provided by training and logistics to VRDL, Patiala.
“Depending on the results, this method will be introduced in other districts,” he said.
At present, around 40,000 to 45,000 tests are carried out on the average per day that the government aims to further increase the third wave of infection that is highly anticipated.
RT-PCR testing capacity in the state government laboratory has been upgraded from 26,750 in January 2021 to 45,500 in July.
The government plans to regulate testing laboratories in all district hospitals.
Because it is able to carry out 60,000 tests per day, the state government has been searching for Rs 97.20 Crore from the central government.