ICMR approves rapid antibody test for speedy detection of Covid 19 in hotspots

Currently, the government uses the PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests to detect the coronavirus from samples of throat or nasal swab of people with symptoms or high-risk individuals who might have come in contact with patients of COVID-19.

The Union Health Ministry said that although there is no evidence of widespread community transmission yet, it has identified 20 existing and 22 potential virus hotspots in the country for special containment measures. A Ministry advisory has stressed that these hotspots need enhanced deployment, surveillance, clinical management, containment operations and laboratory testing at grassroots levels.

The epidemiology experts have suggested that efforts in these places can swing India's war on COVID-19. Luv Aggarwal, Health Ministry's Joint Secretary, said that containment measures are being taken in all areas, including hotspots. "We intervene as per the protocol even as one case emerges from an area. But when the number of cases in an area is more, the intervention there multiplies accordingly," he said.