GUWAHATI: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday, September 4 issued a new advisory on COVID-19 testing strategy, allowing ‘testing on demand’ for individuals but left it to the states to modify the approach as per their discretion.
It also advised testing on demand for "all individuals undertaking travel to countries or Indian states mandating a negative COVID-19 test at the point of entry".
The 'Advisory on Strategy for COVID-19 Testing in India' (version VI) said the state governments can simplify the modalities to facilitate testing on demand.
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It also suggested that 100 percent of people living in containment zones should be tested by rapid antigen tests, particularly in cities where there has been widespread transmission of the infection.
Besides, it advised testing all symptomatic (ILI symptoms) cases, including healthcare and frontline workers.
As far as choice of test is concerned, rapid antigen test (RAT) is listed first, followed by RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT as the second option. "Ideally, it is suggested that 100 per cent people living in containment zones should be tested by RAT, particularly in cities where there has been widespread transmission of infection," the advisory said.
