The daily surge in covid patients and rise in testing count delays the RTPCR test report leading to the possible spread of infection in the city. To fill this backlog the civic administration has decided to conduct the ‘Rapid Antigen Test’ on April 12 and 14 at all government test centres. Also, the test centres will be closed on 13 April for Gudi Padwa.
Positive patients were more likely to seek further treatment if a report was received immediately after the covid test. However, due to the increase in the number of tests in Medical, Mayo, AIIMS and RTMNU, the load on laboratories has increased. Therefore, it takes two to three days to receive the test report.
Therefore, in order to fill the backlog of these laboratories and to prevent infection from new potential patients, only ‘Rapid Antigen Test’ will be conducted on Monday April 12 and 14 at all 42-government testing centres, informed Municipal Commissioner Radhakrishnan B.
A written report of this test may be available to patients from the same centre. Special arrangements will be made for the RTPCR test of a person who has symptoms but has tested negative for a rapid antigen test.
At the same time, the Municipal Commissioner has directed the concerned staff to upload the report of the antigen test on the ICMR portal as soon as possible.