Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (SS)

Panaji, May 15: As a measure to speed up the state’s testing capacity, the health department will purchase a COVID-19 testing machine worth Rs 1.5 crore. The cabinet approved the proposal on Thursday, said an official. The machine generates results within five minutes and can conduct an additional 500 tests per day. TrueNat testing facilities have been installed at two district hospitals and three sub-district hospitals in addition to testing at the virology laboratory of Goa Medical College (GMC) and hospital.

Despite TrueNat results delivering fast results, confirmatory tests are needed to be carried out in case a sample tests positive for COVID-19. The real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests conducted at the GMC virology lab are time-consuming. On an average, around 400 TrueNat and RT-PCR tests are conducted daily. The tests conducted in the GMC’s virology lab have to be done manually and results cannot be obtained instantly.

The number of people entering the state has gone up since May 1, and thus more tests are required. If results are known faster, people do not need to be kept in facility quarantine for longer hours, said an official. Those arriving from outside the state are placed in facility quarantine until their results are declared; and in home quarantine if results are negative. Those with travel history to a foreign country shall be placed in facility quarantine for two weeks.