COVID sampling, genome sequencing keeping a check on COVID flare up
Lucknow: Covid sampling in Uttar Pradesh has nearly doubled, while genome sequencing is being ensured for all those tested for the infection, despite the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) remaining low. As per the claims of the officials, till the third week of December the average sample collection was 27,000 and now it has been increased to 50,000 per day.
Meanwhile, Deputy CM and Health Minister Brajesh Pathak has directed the Chief Medical Officers to coordinate with the District Magistrates and keep ICUs, isolation wards and ventilators ready for the needy.
As per the data, the TPR was 0.01 in the last 24 hours as five people tested positive in over 47,000 tests (including over 23,000 RT-PCR tests). State Surveillance Officer Dr Vikasendu Agarwal said that the sample of every patient who tests positive for Covid is sent for genome sequencing. Presently 20 samples have been sent for genome sequencing in the state.
47 cases currently active in UP Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, till now, Uttar Pradesh has tested 12,69,78,771 samples. “At present there are 47 active cases in the state,” Agarwal said. Testing has ramped up in some countries in the wake of the Covid spike and the influx of foreign travelers for the New Year. Experts said people traveling outside the state or country should ensure that they remain in home isolation. Dr Abhishek Shukla, Secretary General, Association of International Doctors, said, “Once the virus infects a person, it takes a few days for symptoms to appear. would be the best way to prevent the spread of To speed up the work of tracing patients, contact tracing has been intensified in Lucknow. At least 50 people will now be tracked for each positive case, instead of up to 30 earlier.
The state capital has five active Covid cases since it achieved ‘zero Covid’ status on December 7. Lucknow’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Manoj Agarwal, said, “Increasing contact tracing will help us detect any Covid positive case at an early stage.” Deputy CM Pathak gave these instructions Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak directed the health officials to be ready for a focused sample collection drive in UP. He said that the sampling should include bus stands, railway stations, airport, public places and drivers of three wheelers. Chief Medical Officers should coordinate with District Magistrates to prepare ICUs, isolation wards and ventilators so that they are available for needy patients.
