Assam to Increase COVID-19 Testing Capacity to 1 Lakh Per Day

After crossing the 50,000 COVID test mark in a single day on August 4, the Assam government is now eyeing to double the rate of testing.

“The idea is to identify as many positive cases as possible so as to contain the spread of COVID-19. When the first case was identified, we were barely capable of conducting 100 tests in a day but we have increased the capacity to 55,000-60,000 tests per day. Our next target is to increase the testing capacity to 1 lakh tests per day,” director of National Health Mission (NHM), Assam, Lakshmanan S told G Plus.

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Varying positivity rates in the districts, which range from 21% to 1.5%, have reflected the gaps in hygiene awareness level among the residents of different districts. Health officials say that if testing is not ramped up, the pendulum may swing towards any one side.

Further, while there have been speculations about COVID tests to be mandatorily done in all apartments, Lakshmanan denied any such order.

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“No government order has yet been issued making it compulsory for tests to be conducted in all apartments of Guwahati. However, the ICMR issued guidelines for testing are being strictly followed in the state,” he said.