Bengaluru, Apr 28: Karnataka has found that the rapid antibody test kits for COVID-19 that the Centre supplied to the state have only 47% sensitivity. The state will be returning the kits to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Karnataka had received 11,400 rapid antibody test kits from the ICMR a few days back, out of which it had sent around 200 of them to NIMHANS for validation.
After the ICMR, on Monday, sent a circular to all states to return the test kits to the suppliers, Dr CN Manjunath, Director, Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research, and nodal officer for lab testing in the state's COVID-19 task force, said, "We have cancelled the orders we placed to Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics for one lakh rapid antibody test kits. Since the ICMR supplied us with 11,400 kits out of the 6.5 lakh kits it procured, we will be returning the kits to them."
Manjunath told said that the validation at NIMHANS revealed the kits to have only 47% sensitivity. Sensitivity is the ability of a test to identify the true-positives in a population, i.e., the actual number of people who've been infected with the disease. With the rapid antibody testing kits being shelved, the state's plan to randomly test high risk groups has taken a backseat.
So far, the state has tested 43,791 samples.
Karnataka now has 22 testing facilities -- 14 government and seven private labs. Many private labs have not tested any samples so far because of the lack of test kits (the state has made it clear that it will not provide test kits to private labs). So, getting an ICMR approval for testing has become a moot point.p
Agreeing to the setback the state's plans of ramping up testing has taken, Manjunath said, "It is true that RT-PCR test kits are in shortage. Even Pune's Mylabs had a shortage in supplying test kits. But we are relying on institutes like Kidwai, Narayana Health and Biocon's Syngene that have received approval for testing. They're big institutes and we hope that they will test a large number of samples."
On reports that the Centre has RT-PCR test kits that will last for only a week, he said, "We have test kits that will last for eight to 10 days. We have ordered for more. We are hoping to receive them before the current kits run out."
Comments
She is the best External Foreign Minister india ever had. Lets pray for her speedy recovery. India need her badly.
Some sarcastic comments by our dignified readers are unwarranted, as an External Affairs Minster she is doing commendable job unlike her predecessor.
We need to learn to appreciate people irrespective of their political affiliation and/or faith. I pray to Almighty to give her good health to serve India and Indians living abroad for many years to come.
Prophet Muhammad pbuh taught us a beautiful DUA to ask with our CREATOR, who Created the heavens & the earth and all that is in between them.
\ O ALLAH, Lord of MANKIND ! Remove our suffering, Heal us as YOU are the HEALER, and None can HEAL but YOU. I beg YOU to bring about healing that leaves behind no Ailment....
Alhamdullillah (Thanks & praise is due to ALLAH) for guiding me on the knowledge that benefits in our LIFE.."
Poor lady..... the Isa visa issue will start haunting her....before that she wants to get herself admitted so that she donot have to face the media and opposition for ANOTHER BLUNDER by her team (first one was Lalit Modi visa)
She is doing a good job as a foreign minister....may God help her to recover speedily ...
oops ...MAY b terrorist attack on her chest...
Wholeheartedly Pray for Early Recovery. Sushma is one of the Best Foreign Minister in India, ever had. And wonderfully she is Human, though she is in BJP!
Let her go to England to get treated when Lalit Modi and Vijay Malia will pay the bill. Vasundra Raji will be her attender.
Why an VIP room of AIIMS is wasted for such unpatriotic people.
She is an able minister and wish to thank for her services to my nation. I do not see her political color but she has worked beyond the narrow confines of political outlook. May God bless her good health.
Hope this capable and very able minister recovers soon. best external affairs minister in india's history.
You are the pride of India madam! Let God give you all the strength !
She hardly does her job as a minister of external affairs since modi is doing all the travelling not giving her a chance to make her mark as mea. She is probably stressed out because of that.
Get well soon mam. Nation needs you!!
Get well soon madam.
Stress of The Job.
Disturbed to hear that EAM Smt @SushmaSwaraj ji has been admitted to AIIMS. Wish her speedy recovery & good health.
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