The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Friday recommended hospitals to test 5% of patients with influenza-like illnesses (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) in outpatient departments for possible coronavirus infection.
So far such Covid tests were not mandatory. While India is reporting low numbers, the revision in testing protocol is aimed at keeping a close watch on Covid cases in the country.
There are advisories for early detection of symptomatic cases for prompt isolation and care, early detection of infection in people above 60 years of age and persons with co-morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, and detection of any new spread To impose and limit. concern (VOC).
India reported 114 new coronavirus infections on Friday, taking the active cases to 1,797. The total cases reported since the pandemic in 2020 stand at 44.7 million and the death toll at 530,750.
However, there was no increase in the severity of illness or hospitalizations.
The ICMR advisory states, “As per the revised surveillance strategy, 5% of all SARI cases and Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)/Influenza-like Illness (ILI) cases should be screened for COVID-19 infection from OPD to hospital setting.” to be done.”
“This is only for the purpose of surveillance as per the strategy of the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC),” said an ICMR scientist.
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