Less Covid tests during door-to door campaign raises question about UP govt's intentions

The Uttar Pradesh government's house-to-house campaign for finding COVID-19 active cases has been lauded by the World Health Organisation. But almost a week into its launch, reports say that the Uttar Pradesh government has conducted fewer Covid-19 testings during its door to door campaign.

Lucknow: Being the most populous state of the country, Uttar Pradesh has been hit hard by the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a bid to control the virus spread, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had initiated a house-to-house active COVID-19 case finding in rural areas.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently praised the Adityanath government for its initiative to contain the virus transmission. But within a week of its launch, reports say that the Uttar Pradesh government has conducted fewer Covid-19 testings during its door to door campaign.

Less Covid tests during door-to door campaign raises question about UP govt's intentions

The campaign started in May and under this, a total of 11, 63, 669 Covid-19 tests were conducted till May 9, while 12, 67, 661 tests were conducted between April 30 and May 4, before the launch of the campaign.

So the report suggests that there is a decrease of one lakh tests during the first five days of the campaign as compared to before. During the campaign, 1,03,992 less tests were conducted in 5 days and on average, 20,798 tests were reduced daily.

Less Covid tests during door-to door campaign raises question about UP govt's intentions

The data shows that more than two and a half million tests were conducted from April 30 to May 9. On May 2 alone, about 3 lakh tests were conducted but between May 3 and May 9, there was not a single day when 2.5 lakh tests were done in the state.

Less Covid tests during door-to door campaign raises question about UP govt's intentions

During these 10 days, the highest number of 2,97,021 tests took place on May 2 and the lowest was 2,08,558 tests on May 4 i.e., there was a decrease of 88,463 tests on May 4 as compared to May 2.

According to Uttar Pradesh's Director-General of Health, Dr DS Negi, the state resorted to the proven and tested measures of "micro-planning, house visits, concurrent monitoring and follow-ups". These measures were the basis of India's polio eradication strategy.

"For the testings, only about 10 lakh antigen kits were provided to us and it is obvious that testing rates will reduce due to less number of kits," Dr Negi said.

Meanwhile, WHO State Head Dr Amitabh Vajpayee said that the health organisation only provided technical support to the Uttar Pradesh government and not provided the testing team.The organisation only made the micro plans, staff training and provided technical support. The number of testings and its further development are the works of the CMO and concern district administrations, he said.