The government had mandated that RT-PCR kits should be used more for COVID tests. Unless RT-PCR tests are performed, positive samples cannot be sent for genome sequencing.
A state health official said that genome sequencing was important in the current situation when the cases of Covid were increasing slowly and steadily. Though the spike in cases is largely confined to Mumbai, Pune, Raigad, Palghar and Thane, all other districts of Maharashtra have been directed to conduct tests to find out whether omicron The sub-types were detected in samples from those districts.
The official said the data showed that districts such as Ahmednagar, Nashik, Satara and Jalgaon were doing more RATs than RT-PCR tests this week (see graphic).
Ahmednagar Collector RB Bhosale told TOI that the district had “enough laboratories” to conduct RT-PCR tests. “Many citizens are using RAT test kits on their own. We have directed officials and laboratories to ensure that citizens opt for RT-PCR tests if they have symptoms of Covid,” he said.
The official said that after RAT tests, people found COVID positive should also undergo RT-PCR tests.
Periodic analysis of cases with respect to time, place and person was necessary to help the authorities prepare a localized action plan. State surveillance expert Dr Pradeep Awte said, “Geographical distribution of cases is important to detect clusters.”
State’s Additional Chief Secretary Health Dr Pradeep Vyas has sent a letter to the districts asking for 140 tests per million or 980 tests per million each week to increase testing and comply with the WHO order. Districts like Amravati conducted 833 tests in a week, while Nandurbar was far behind at 409.
A Nandurbar official said that the administration has sent teams to vaccinate people and check for any symptoms of Kovid in them.