As coronavirus outbreak worsens, delay in arrival of testing kits
The rapid testing kits India had ordered weeks ago are yet to arrive, even as the country aims to ramp up testing in a bid to contain the coronavirus outbreak. India had ordered 5 lakh kits from Chinese suppliers on March 30 and they were expected to arrive earlier this week. An official said Saturday that India's order was diverted to the United States.
India's order was expected by April 5
Earlier on March 27, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had sought applications for the delivery of one million rapid testing kits. However, due to the lack of availability, India placed an order for 5 lakh test kits from Chinese suppliers on March 30. The order was expected by April 5 and then by April 8-9, but the delivery was not made.
Will get kits in 1-2 days: ICMR Scientist
Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal had said Friday, "The kits haven't reached yet but could reach anytime now." On Saturday, ICMR scientist Dr. Raman R Gangakhedkar said, "The manufacturers assured us that we will get them in a day or two. As and when we get these kits, we will deploy these on field and start rapid testing."
Why has the delivery been delayed?
People familiar with the matter told Hindustan Times that the order was delayed due to a global shortage of testing kits. They said only five-six manufacturers are trying to meet the global demand and the local government has also put a cap on export. Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary K Shanmugam said on Saturday that India's shipment was diverted to the US.
TN had independently ordered 4 lakh kits
According to The News Minute, Shanmugam said during a press briefing Saturday that Tamil Nadu had independently placed multiple orders for a total of four lakh testing kits. However, he said, the consignment meant for India was sent to the US, causing the delay.
How are these testing kits different?
The antibody test kits that India has been anticipating will help upgrade testing for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The current RT-PCR tests only tell us when a person is sick, however, the new testing kits check the presence of antibodies against the novel coronavirus. This means that the kits can tell whether a person was ever infected with the coronavirus, even after they recover.
'Kits will help identify those who could fight off COVID-19'
A senior infectious disease expert, Dr. Lalit Kant, told HT, "The antibody detection blood test will identify people who already have been infected, even those with mild or no symptoms." Dr. Kant said, "It will also help us to know how many have been able to fight off the infection and have become what is called 'corona-blocker,'" adding that the tests can "very economical."
India's Health Ministry confirms 8,356 COVID-19 cases, 273 deaths
According to the Health Ministry's latest update, by 8 am Sunday, India had reported 8,356 cases of COVID-19. These included 273 deaths and 7,367 active cases along with 715 patients who were cured/discharged and one patient who migrated out of India. The Ministry said this morning that India had reported 34 new deaths and 909 new cases in the past 24 hours.
