Shimla: The Government Spokesperson today said that an advisory on Purposive Testing Strategy for COVID-19 in India has been released by Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The advisory on COVID-19 testing strategy is for early detection of symptomatic cases for quick isolation and early detection of infections in elderly (>60yr) and individuals with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung or kidney disease, malignancy, obesity etc. so that timely care can be provided. The Government Spokesperson said that in a community testing may be done in individual with symptoms and those having co-morbidities with history of contact with laboratory confirmed positive COVID case. He added that individuals travelling abroad or international travellers arriving at Indian airports/seaports/ports of entries may be tested for COVID virus as per laid down guidelines. The Government Spokesperson told that in hospital settings, the testing may be undertaken as per the decision of the doctor. He further said that no emergency procedure should be delayed due to lack of test and patients should not be referred to other facilities for lack of a testing facility. All arrangements should be made to collect and transfer samples to testing facilities, mapped by the health facility. He also added that asymptomatic patients undergoing surgical or non-surgical invasive procedures including pregnant women who are hospitalized for delivery should not be tested unless symptoms develop. The Government Spokesperson further informed that there is no need of testing in individuals without any symptoms or contacts of confirmed cases of COVID-19 unless identified as high risk based on age or co-morbidities. He said that the patients who stand discharged as per home isolation guidelines and patients discharged from a COVID-19 facility as per discharge policy or individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel need not get their COVID test done.
