Home collection of samples a non-starter in Mohali hospitals

Gaurav Kanthwal
Tribune News Service
Mohali, September 3

Home collection of samples for Covid testing at private hospitals has been a non-starter till now in the city. The facility is not available at two biggest private hospitals of the city. There is no provision for the home collection of Covid samples even at government hospitals of the district. In some cases, sample is collected if the authorities feel that a patient is not in a condition to visit testing centre.

‘Covid Spike not abnormal’

Begining from March 20, when first Covid case surfaced in Mohali, the count of positive patients rose to 1,000 in 138 days. The district crossed the 2000-mark in just 13 days. In the next eight days, the 3000-mark was breached. The Covid cases went up from 3,000 to 4,000 in just seven days. The Mohali Civil Surgeon, Dr Manjit Singh, said, “It is on expected lines. We have not witnessed any abnormal spike and have been successful in keeping it steady.”

Sources said the facility never began at private hospitals and labs due to health concerns of paramedics. Spokespersons of the two private hospitals confirmed, “Our hospitals do not provide the facility of collecting samples from home.”

“Already a large number of samples are being collected at hospital,” said a private hospital spokesperson.

The administration’s plan for providing private medical care to Covid-19 patients in home isolation has also not taken off. “Eighty patients have availed this service of which some are in home isolation while others have been discharged from hospitals. Some have opted for the 17-day course even after being discharged from hospitals,” said a spokesperson of Fortis Hospital

“The service began a few days ago. Only two patients have availed this package till now, but we are getting queries,” said a spokesperson of Max Hospital.

Mobile testing vans on roads

For the first time, two mobile testing vans of the Health Department will be on city roads to collect Covid samples from the vulnerable areas. “The vans will be visiting places where doctors feel there is a need to take samples. This is in addition to mobile testing units already stationed at designated places,” the Civil Surgeon said.

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