The average daily testing capacity for COVID-19 will be augmented to 45 lakh by June end, ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said at the Health Ministry briefing on Thursday, 20 May. "More of Rapid Antigen Tests should be done because you can get results rapidly and then isolate the patient quickly... Our target is to do 25 lakh tests (daily) by the end of this month and 45 lakh tests by the end of June," he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday urged the states to make mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.
India on Thursday reported 2,76,070 new coronavirus cases, 3,69,077 discharges, and 3,874 deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total number of cases in the country now stands at 2,57,72,400, while the death toll is at 2,87,122.
- Delhi on Thursday reported 3,231 new coronavirus cases and 233 deaths, taking the tally to 14,09,950 and the death toll to 22,579
- Maharashtra reported 29,911 new coronavirus cases and 738 deaths, taking the tally in the state to 54,97,448 and the death toll to 85,355
- Karnataka reported 28,869 new cases and 548 deaths
- In a conversation with District Magistrates of 10 states on Thursday, PM Modi lauded their efforts and discouraged vaccine wastage
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)
29,911 New COVID Cases in Maharashtra; 28,869 in Karnataka
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 29,911 new coronavirus cases and 738 deaths, taking the tally in the state to 54,97,448 and the death toll to 85,355.
Meanwhile, Karnataka reported 28,869 new cases and 548 deaths.
Daily Testing Capacity to be Augmented to 45 Lakh by June End: ICMR DG
The average daily testing capacity for COVID-19 will be augmented to 45 lakh by June end, ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said at the Health Ministry briefing on Thursday.
"More of Rapid Antigen Tests should be done because you can get results rapidly and then isolate the patient quickly... Our target is to do 25 lakh tests (daily) by the end of this month and 45 lakh tests by the end of June," he was quoted as saying.
India witnessed a consistent upward trend in weekly tests for COVID-19 since mid-February and average daily tests increased by 2.3 times in 12 weeks, it was pointed out during the briefing.
The government also pointed toward the decline in case positivity reported since the last two weeks. The number of districts reporting a decline in case positivity increased from 210 in the week from 29 April to 5 May to 303 in the week from 13 to 19 May, it said.
Seven states have more than 25 percent case positivity, while 22 states have more than 15 percent positivity, it added.
Citing a study, it also said that 50 percent of the people still do not wear masks and of those who do, around 64 percent cover just their mouth and not the nose.
3,231 New COVID Cases in Delhi, Positivity Rate at 5.5%
Delhi on Thursday reported 3,231 new coronavirus cases and 233 deaths, taking the tally in the national capital to 14,09,950 and the death toll to 22,579.
A positivity rate of 5.50 percent was reported on Thursday.
Notify Black Fungus Under Epidemic Diseases Act: Centre to States
The Union Health Ministry on Thursday, 20 May urged the states to make mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897
“All government and private health facilities, medical colleges to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis, issued by MoHFW and ICMR,” the ministry said.