National

ETV Bharat / bharat

Rapid testing failure halts pace of corona testing: Rajasthan Chief Secretary DB Gupta

In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Chief Secretary DB Gupta talked about how corona testing in the state had come to a halt after most of the rapid testing kits showed inaccurate results. He also spoke about the challenges faced by the Ajmer and Ramganj administration and how the Rajasthan government has extended help to poor migrant workers and family.

Rapid testing failure halts pace of corona testing, says Rajasthan Chief Secretary DB Gupta
Rapid testing failure halts pace of corona testing, says Rajasthan Chief Secretary DB Gupta

By

Published : Apr 23, 2020, 5:19 PM IST

Jaipur (Rajasthan): After Rajasthan complained that the recently acquired rapid testing kits showed inaccurate results, the pace of corona testing in the state has come to a halt. Rajasthan became the first state to conduct the rapid tests across the country but has decided to stop testing after most of the results turned out to be faulty and misleading.

Chief Secretary DB Gupta, who pinned high hopes on the rapid testing kits in the state, said, "We tested 159 people who were suffering from the infection but only nine people were tested positive. Doubting about its credibility and authenticity, the government decided to cease the testing process, which has affected the testing in the state.

"The number of pending samples for testing has increased so around 4000 samples were sent to Delhi out of which at least 100 were found corona positive. As compared to other states, we are conducting more tests and efforts are on to expand the scope of the same. Out of 61,492 tested samples, 54,100 turned out to be negative", Gupta said to ETV Bharat.

Rapid testing failure halts pace of corona testing, says Rajasthan Chief Secretary DB Gupta

Asked about Bhilwara Model which has become a corona-free district, Secretary said, "We imposed a strict curfew and restricted the movement of the people to contain the spread of the virus. Stopping the spread of Corona in Ramganj was a tough challenge for the administration due to lack of co-operation from the people and dense population."

Read: Rajasthan to recruit 2k more doctors, 9k nursing staffers

"We convinced people and also deployed competent officers in every district. The situation was closely monitored after which people became aware. They came forward and helped the authorities to conduct the tests", he added.

Echoing the same view about Ajmer, he said, "There was a sudden spike in the number of corona positive cases in Ajmer like to Ramganj. It's difficult to conduct tests due to the dense population and the administration is planning to divide the areas".

Commenting on the Pakistan-displaced Hindu families in Rajasthan, Chief Secretary went to add, "After conducting a survey of these families settled in different parts of the state the administration has made an effort to provide ration and financial aid to around 450 migrant families."

Stressing on the need for modified lockdown, Gupta told ETV, "Although extended lockdown can be a problem for the society, it is necessary to provide relaxation in few places to bring back the suspended activities on track".

"Around 4.5 lakh MNREGA workers have got employment and the state government is trying to establish village-based industries. Arrangements are being made on the guidelines of the Central Government to send back migrant workers to their respective states", DB Gupta informed.

Read:Quarantine facility will be converted into temporary jail if those under quarantine do not cooperate: Himanta Biswa Sarma

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

...view details