Centre advises increase in RT-PCR tests to contain covid upsurge

The Central government has advised states, witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, to increase RT-PCR tests and focus on strict & comprehensive surveillance. Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh recorded an “upsurge” in daily new cases of Covid.

New Delhi: Days after Kerala and Maharashtra accounted for 74% of the active COVID-19 cases in the country, the Centre has advised these States to work on improving overall testing by focusing on an increasing proportion of RT-PCR tests.

In an advisory sent to states reporting a surge in active cases, the Centre stated all negative Rapid Test results should be mandatorily followed by RT-PCR test and there should be focus on strict and comprehensive surveillance.

The advisory comes after Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh recorded an “upsurge” in daily new cases of Covid

"Centre has advised these States to work on improving overall testing by focusing on increasing proportion of RT-PCR tests, all negative Rapid Test results to be mandatorily followed by RT-PCR test & refocus on strict & comprehensive surveillance among others, said Health Ministry

"More than 74% of the active cases are in Kerala and Maharashtra. There has been a spike in the daily cases in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh also. Punjab and J&K too are witnessing a surge in daily new cases, "it added.

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Maharashtra has exhibited a spike in the number of daily new cases in past week, accounting for the highest number of daily new cases in the country today. Total 6,112 cases of coronavirus were reported in the last 24 hours in the state.

Kerala continues to report a high number of daily new cases. In the last seven days, Chhattisgarh has also seen a rise in daily active new cases. In the past 24 hours, 259 daily new cases have been reported here.

Like Maharashtra, Punjab has also shown a sudden spike in the number of daily new cases reported in the last seven days with 383 daily new cases in the last 24 hours.

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Since, February 13, Madhya Pradesh is also witnessing a rise in the number of daily new cases. In the last 24 hours, 297 daily new cases have been registered in the state.

With agency inputs