Special Corona Test Drive results will decide course of lockdown: Dr Kulkarni

Ranchi: A 3-day special Corona Test Drive has been launched in all districts of the state, including East Singhbhum.

The health department has issued instructions for meeting the test targets in all districts.

Ranchi district has been given a target of completing 3,816 tests. This includes 150 tests through Truenat machines, 666 through RTPCR and 3000 through Rapid Antigen test method.

Dhanbad gets a target of 2714 tests, while East Singhbhum has been given a target of completing 3144 tests. West Singhbhum has to complete 1484 tests and Hazaribagh has been given a target of 2,337 tests.

Similarly, other districts of the state have also been given different test targets.

The Principal Secretary of the Health Department Dr. Nitin Madan Kulkarni said that any decision about lockdown would be taken only after reviewing the results of these tests.

He said that the special test drive would continue in all districts till Sunday. Around 1 lakh tests would be completed through RTPCR, Truenat and Rapid Antigen test methods.

Dr. Kulkarni said that the positivity percentage would be a factor in deciding whether lockdown should be further strengthened or relaxed.

He said that all the DCs and Civil Surgeons have been instructed to complete sample collection and test process.

He said that samples would be taken under monitoring for RTPCR tests from containment zones till August 1. He said that Truenat machines would also be used.

On the other hand Rapid Antigen Test Method would be employed in the areas having higher chances of infection.

He said that the drive would lay special emphasis on identifying vulnerable people and those with co-morbidities.

He said that those who are symptomatic and also have a contact history would be made to go through the test process again by RTPCR method.