New Order issued!! Random collection of COVID samples from the people in Chennai!!
Posted on: 18/Feb/2022 9:24:35 AM
Dont be surprised if you are asked to provide a test sample for Covid-19 infection at the markets, bus stands and other commercial places in Chennai!!
It is known that Coronavirus infection is reducing now. In this scenario, the important piece of news is that ICMR or Indian Council of Medical Research has tweaked the testing strategy now. It has revised the guidelines to introduce random sample collection for Covid tests at public places. Those elders with co-morbidities and symptomatic persons irrespective of age would be given priority.
It is now said that under the protocol samples would be collected from the people at the bus stands, markets or at the commercial places etc. Information gathered is that the state directorate of public health and preventive medicine has given orders that the guidelines must be followed scrupulously and unnecessary testing of persons other than those persons in the guidelines must be avoided strictly. From all PHC, all taluk and non-taluk hospitals plus from all district headquarters hospitals, medical college hospitals etc test samples must be collected. Only at the ICMR approved government and private labs, processing of samples must be carried out.
It is learnt that all symptomatic persons with issues like cough, fever, sore throat, loss of appetite, breathlessness, loss of smell/taste and other respiratory issues would be tested. Various other individuals who would also be tested are at risk contacts that includes persons above the age of 60, those with co-morbid conditions like BP, diabetes, obesity, kidney issues etc.
According to the country specific requirements, all those who are undertaking international travel would be tested. It is worthy to mention here that the 2% random sample test for the international travellers as per laid down protocol should also get tested for Covid19 infection. The private hospitals must also be instructed to stick to the instructions issue.
