Govt to wait for ICMR’s direction over RTK testing: Conrad

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 22, 2020

Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday said the government has decided to wait for the direction of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on the uses of rapid test kits (RTK) to trace people infected by the coronavirus in the state. 

The decision was taken in view of the concerns expressed on the accuracy level of the RTKs.

It may be mentioned that the Centre has allotted over 7,500 RTKs for Meghalaya in order to effectively combat against the spread of the COVID-19.

Sangma however said from this point of view, the government is working as per direction of the ICMR. 

“We are mostly depending on the PCR tests (or reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests),” he said. 

The CM also admitted by saying “The RTKs obviously as the name tells us gives result quickly but of course the accuracy level has been questioned from day one and there is nothing to hide about that. But from our side we felt it was an option and we have used that option. People who were tested by using the RTKs yesterday have also been tested under normal PCR tests and they have come out negative.” 

In view of this, Sangma said that the government has decided to keep on hold testing by using the RTKs. 

“We will wait for the direction of the ICMR for further action on this aspect,” he stated. 

On the other hand, there has been no positive case reported during the past 24 hours in the state. 

Giving his daily update on the COVID-19 situation, the CM informed that a total of 1046 tested out of which 904 came out negative while results of 130 tests are awaited.

He said there are a total of 11 active cases and all of them are stable. 

Samples sent for testing: 1046  Negative: 904 Positive: 12 (11 active) Results awaited: 130

On the concern that two patients were kept in the same room in one of the institutes, Sangma however said, “There are 3 patients (in that institute). I would like to clarify that…as per protocols, two positive patients are allowed to be kept in the same room but the room should be quite big. Therefore, that has been followed and the condition of all the three patients are stable.” 

The chief minister further informed that the government has also decided to extend support by providing essential commodities to all families who are under home quarantine. 

“We felt that the people should be encouraged and supported while they are cooperating with the government and self-quarantining. Therefore, with that in mind the government has come up with small kit which include essential commodities that will be given to all these families” he said.

According to him, the government has completed reaching out to over 600-700 families and will cover the remaining 4000-5000 families in the next few days. 

After the primary and secondary contacts of the first COVID-19 victim was established, a total of 5123 people have self-quarantine at their homes while 277 are under institutional quarantine. 

Meanwhile, the CM informed that of 10,287 registered, 5392 have received the financial benefit under the CM’s Special Grant for stranded people in other states. 

He said over 2.06 lakh labourers have been provided with financial assistance at Rs 2100 each while Rs 3000 were given to each of the 9302 registered workers.