Ramp up Covid testing in hotspots, states told

New Delhi, January 18

The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday wrote to states asking them to increase Covid testing in a strategic manner keeping in view the trend of case positivity in specific areas.

Recalling all the previous advisories of the Centre, the ministry said the basic objective of all Covid testing guidelines was early detection of cases for quick isolation and care.

“Testing remains the key strategy for two reasons— identification of new clusters and new hotspots of infection. This will facilitate immediate action for containment such as setting up of containment zones, contact tracing, quarantine and isolation. The mortality and morbidity can also be reduced,” Arti Ahuja, Additional Secretary (health), said in a letter to states.

The progression of the disease to a severe category could be averted through strategic testing of those at high risk and more vulnerable as well as in areas where the spread was likely to be higher, she said.

The ministry asked the states and the UTs to test all symptomatic people and the at-risk (over 60-plus and the ones with comorbidities) contacts of confirmed cases.

The government flagged 8.31 per cent rise in Omicron cases since Monday while the daily positivity rate stood at 14.43 per cent. The cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country so far have exceeded 158.04 crore.

2,38,018 fresh cases

TOTAL DEATHS 4,86,761

ACTIVE CASES 17,36,628

310 deaths in 24 hours

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