New Delhi, August 19
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday said that the number of samples tested for COVID in the country has crossed the 500-crore mark and the average daily test in this month has crossed 17 lakh.
The last 10 crore tests were conducted in just 55 days, ICMR said in a statement.
ICMR said, “On July 21, 2021, India had tested 45 crore COVID samples, reaching the figure of 50 crore on August 18, 2021.”
According to its website, till August 18, 50,03,00,840 samples have been tested.
ICMR said, “ICMR is enhancing COVID testing capacity across the country by expanding and diversifying testing capacity by leveraging technology and facilitating innovation in affordable diagnostic kits. Carefully calibrate testing strategy to increase test access and availability. has been done,” ICMR said.
It added that the average daily testing in this month was over 17 lakh.
ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said, “We have seen that rapid increase in testing has led to early detection, early isolation and effective treatment of COVID cases.”
“This testing milestone is a testimony to the fact that India has been successful in efficiently implementing the strategy of ‘Test, Track, Trace, Treat and Use Technology’ ‘5T’ approach, which will enable us to contain the spread of the pandemic. will do.” he said.
In addition, increased production of diagnostic kits has made India ‘atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant), resulting in cost reduction and improved availability of testing kits, Bhargava said. PTI