News Brief
ICMR Approves Two Home-Based Rapid Antigen Test Kits For COVID-19 Testing
IANS
Jun 04, 2021, 08:13 AM | Updated 08:13 AM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved two home-based Rapid Antigen Test kits, to be used only in symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory confirmed positive cases.
Accordingly, the ICMR has approved CoviSelf, manufactured by Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd, Pune, and the PanBio COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test Device, devloped by Chicago-based Abbott Rapid Diagnostics. The latter's provisional approval has been accorded till 5 July 2021.
"Indiscriminate testing is not advised. Home testing should be conducted as per the procedure described by the manufacturer in the user manual. Home testing by RAT is advised only in symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory confirmed positive cases," the ICMR said.
All positive individuals are advised to follow home isolation and care as per the ICMR and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoH&FW) protocols.
The symptomatic individuals who test negative by RAT should get themselves immediately tested by RTPCR. This is especially important as the RATs are likely to miss few positive cases presenting with a low viral load.
All RAT negative symptomatic individuals may be treated as suspect COVID-19 cases and are advised to follow the ICMR/MoH&FW home isolation protocol while awaiting the RTPCR test result, it said.
All results may be interpreted as per the protocols laid down by the manufacturer in the user manual . Manufacturer's instructions must be strictly followed for disposal of the test kit, swab and other materials.
(This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.)
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.