Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, May 7: Henceforth, RT-PCR tests are required to be done in the district only if one has Covid symptoms. Not otherwise.

This modification has been brought into force from May 1. However, those who badly need a certificate can get the test report after visiting any private laboratory and getting the test done upon payment.

At present, if the people go to primary health centres and government testing centres like Wenlock Hospital for testing, the doctors make them to stand in a line and check whether the people have Covid symptoms like cough, headache, body aches etc. People without symptoms are sent back. Only those who exhibit symptoms are sent for testing. Sources said that this change has been brought about as people are getting fearful unnecessarily and rushing to the testing centres without any reason. This rush has been delaying the receipt of test reports in the case of genuine patients, they pointed out.

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The officials say that this decision is not backed by shortage of test kits as they have enough stock of the kit. They have one lac test kits, and the only aim of the current exercise is not to delay receipt of test reports for those who very much need the reports early.

As test reports are compulsory for people flying to other countries, the genuine people have to wait for their turn. Therefore the above changes have been made. The passengers can get their reports through the private hospitals, they said.

During the first wave, an average of 1,500 to 2,000 tests were performed per day. This time it has gone up to 4,500. Now there are eight private labs, and Wenlock conducts 2,200 tests every day.

District health officer Dr Kishore Kumar, says that random tests conducted unnecessarily serve no purpose. As they put unnecessary stress on the system, the decision to conduct tests based on symptoms was taken, he stated.